For Liv AWOL SPOK’D, there are no days off, and on 1st January new team member Victoria Lovett was out and about showing off her new kit and bike! It was also the month to finally make the big announcement about our new sponsorship line up, which included headline sponsors SPOK’D!
Elsewhere, the cyclo-cross season was coming to a climax, with both the National Championships at Gravesend Cyclopark, and the Regional Leagues having their final races. So who was crowned Queen of Cross in their respective regions.
New Year kicks off with new kit for Victoria Lovett
Victoria Lovett was out on New Year’s day to show off her lovely new Liv AWOL SPOK’D kit and bike, and posted the headline photo (above) and this one. It even attracted the attention of LivCyclingUK, who responded “Amazing Shot🚴♀️”. We agree!
A couple of days later, and five of the team were out in Hertfordshire for a training ride (and to snap a group selfie!).
Meanwhile, Clover Murray has escaped the cold, rain and snow, and is busy racing Bay Crits in Australia!
HSBC UK Cyclo-Cross National Trophy Series Round 6
Cyclo-Cross , Shrewsbury – Saturday, 05 Jan 2019
Only two senior riders for Liv AWOL SPOK’D at the final Trophy Series race in Shrewsbury, and sadly for some, no rain and therefore no mud for which the course is renowned for. So fast course with rutted banks.
Maddie Gammons, coming back to cross fitness, put in a good performance and finished in 23rd, while Connie Hayes came in to the finish in 32nd, but a good result for Connie considering her mishap.
Liv AWOL SPOK’D tweeted “Strong ride by @MaddieGammons at the national trophy great to see her returning to form . Well done @connie_hayes123 for getting round after a heavy crash near the start”
Maddie tweeted her thoughts on performance in the Shrewsbury round “On paper today’s result may not look like much but it was BIG for me. I finally felt like I was racing again (and enjoying it!), the legs are coming back and it’s a lot better than things have been. Still a long way to go but the only way is up @AdmiralLivAWOL”
And Connie described her tumble “I miss road so much and it clearly misses me so much that it refused to let me go up a bank on lap one today. Instead I did a classic Connie over the bars and onto the floor! Thanks to @Kask_cycling for saving my head! Luckily just bruised and I am ready to fight again!”
Hillingdon Slipstreamers Youth Winter Series #1
Closed Circuit , Hayes – Saturday, 05 Jan 2019
The Hillingdon Winter Series kicked off today with a second place podium spot for Eva Callinan.
London & South East League Round 11
Cyclo-Cross , Ilford – Sunday, 06 Jan 2019
Two riders. Two winners in their respective categories. Imogen Chastell took the Junior win, coming third overall in the Women’s category, and Charlotte McGreevy took the U16 win.
Stow Scramble – Eastern League Round 14
Cyclo-Cross , Bury St Edmunds – Sunday, 06 Jan 2019
With riders away at Shrewsbury for Trophy Series, and Harley Pell still taking time off following her hospitalisation, Lauren was on her own for the team at this round of the Eastern League, but it didn’t stop her getting the second Junior title of the weekend for the team, and finishing 2nd overall in the Women’s category.
Liv AWOL SPOK’D tweeted “Well done @LozzieJrCyclist 2nd in Eastern League at Bury & @imogen_chastell 3rd in London league @TheHoggenberg good work guys @GetSpokd @FORTEsportswear @LivCyclingUK @GiantStPauls great to see Cross back at @TheHoggenberg btw”
SPOK’D announced as new team sponsors – 7 Jan 2019
The new year kicked off with this massive announcement “Pleased to formally announce our tie up with @GetSpokd . For 2019 we will be know as LivAWOL SPOK’D . If looking for a new approach to coaching, please check them out.”
SPOK’D re-tweeted with “Proud to be part of @LivAWOLSpokd for 2019. It will be great to support the riders through their training but also, provide guidance on the challenges of striving to be the best you can be in this sport! #getspokd”
We look forward to a very successful partnership off the road, and plenty of success on!
The team also announced that Kask would be helmet partners for 2019.
London Youth Track League 2018-19
Track League , London – Thursday, 10 Jan 2019
Charlotte McGreevy and Eva Callinan were ripping up the boards at Lee Valley Velodrome in the Thursday night London Youth Track League. Eva tweeted “A late night @trackleague for me with some fast racing! Was great to be racing with @livAWOLSpokd teamie @Lotte_mcgreevy. Enjoyed being back on the track! @PerkinsGarages @Kask_cycling @ForteSportsUK @AwolInfo @GetSpokd”
HSBC UK Cyclo-Cross National Championships – Helen Wyman 100
Gravesend – Sunday, 13 Jan 2019
Senior & Under 23 Women’s Championship race, Maddie Gammons was highest placed in 20th, Emily Ashwood in 26th and Connie Hayes in 31st out of 38 starters.
Liv AWOL SPOK’D tweeted “Great ride our u23 @MaddieGammons to make top 20 in Elite race at National Championships so pleased to see her returning to form @GetSpokd @FORTEsportswear @LivCyclingUK @GiantStPauls”
The Team also tweeted “So pleased to have @EmilyAshwood back racing again after horrific injury in MTB national championship . First race back cyclo cross nationals !!! @LivCyclingUK @FORTEsportswear @GetSpokd @GiantStPauls she is great ambassador for @Cyclopark too”
Junior Women’s Championship race, 12th place for Imogen Chastell in 42:39.200, 13th for Lauren Higham in 43:17.550 and Harley Pell in 17th in time of 44:41.450 out of 25 starters.
From the team twitter feed “Really proud that we were only team to field 3 riders in both junior & Elite race today plus 2 in U16 and that was with 2 riders unavailable and the guys who rode gave everything on tough course @FORTEsportswear @GetSpokd @LivCyclingUK @GiantStPauls @Kask_cycling”
Harley Pell also posted her own message “Thank you @CXHelen great to be part of the Helen 100. Good to be back on my bike after a bit of a health scare still wasn’t 100% but had fun on a great course @huw_williams1 . First outing for my new @Kask_cycling helmet today. @livAWOLSpokd @OaklandsCycling #alwaysmore”
In the Youth Girls Under 16 Championship race, Charlotte-Louise McGreevy 22nd in 36:33.200, followed closely by Bethany Barnett in 36:38:400.
The team want to extend their gratitude to Helen Wyman who funded over 100 women and youth riders for the National Championships. “Huge thank you to @CXHelen for funding entries of all of our 8 riders who rode this weekend in national championship @Cyclopark is hugely appreciated @GetSpokd @FORTEsportswear @LivCyclingUK @GiantStPauls”
And to the organisers “Huge thanks to @huw_williams1 & the team @Cyclopark for putting on a great national championships”
Derby Arena Track League Spring 2019 #1
Track League , Derby – Tuesday, 15 Jan 2019
Isabella Torrie raced at the Tuesday night track league. Only top 8 riders in each race are listed in results. Sorry.
Cycling Time Trials Champions Night Awards – Saturday, 19 Jan 2019
Team Barnett tweeted “A rare occasion of Bethany wearing heels rather than cycling shoes… …at the CTT Champions Night picking up her age group youth time trial champion award (10m in 24:18). Massive thanks for all the support – looking forward to the next PB”
East Kent Cyclo Cross League Round 5
Dover – Sunday, 20 Jan 2019
On a clear but chilly day down on the south east corner of Kent, from a field of 11 starters, Emily Ashwood took the win in the Senior & Veteran Women’s category.
Emily tweeted afterwards, “Glad I could race the last round of the @EastKentCX. Great course and really happy with my first win since returning from injury and finally wearing my new team colours @livAWOLSpokd. It’s weird to think that it is the end of the season for most people but only the start of mine!”
Welland Valley Cross/Central Cyclo-Cross League Round 14
Cyclo-Cross , Lutterworth – Sunday, 20 Jan 2019
Imogen Chastell was on her own representing the team at this round of the Central League, but not disappointed, coming away with the win in the Junior category, finishing 4th overall in the Women’s race.
Despite no mention of Imogen’s Junior win, love this photo and tweet from Nigel Dilks “Rounding off a great weekend for @TeamEmpella – @XxEllied 2nd Junior, @XanCrees 1st lady by a mile @CentralCXLeague – although not sure the 3rd place junior was honest about her age… ”
Iceni Velo Duff Morgan Cross – Eastern League Round 15
Cyclo-Cross , Snetterton – Sunday, 20 Jan 2019
Liv AWOL SPOK’D were out in force for the penultimate round of the Eastern League, with three riders in the Women’s category and 2 in the U16, and plenty podium slots to share. Lauren Higham and Harley Pell one again rode hard to get the two top Junior places (getting 2nd and 6th overall), with Connie Hayes in 7th.
In the U16 race, Bethany Barnett and Charlotte McGreevy fought hard for the top step, but had to accept 2nd and 3rd place.
Forme Notts & Derby League Round 11 – Presented by Fossa Racing
Cyclo-Cross , Nottingham – Saturday, 26 Jan 2019
A field of 32 women took to the start line for round 11 of the FND cyclocross series, and amongst them Liv AWOL SPOK’D rider Rosie Wallace. Rosie’s not a full time cyclocross rider, but she certainly proved to have some skills and stamina finishing in 9th place overall.
Lee Valley Winter Circuit Series 2018-2019 #13
Closed Circuit , London – Saturday, 26 Jan 2019
While the cross season comes to a close, the winter circuit series are still going. 17 riders took to the start line for the all categories (E1234) race around the Hog Hill track. Only the one Liv AWOL SPOK’D rider, Connie Hayes, raced, but she made this one count with the win.
Icebreaker Youth Series Round 1 2019
Track , Newport – Saturday, 26 Jan 2019
The renowned Youth Icebreaker series started again at the newly named Geraint Thomas National Velodrome of Wales. Eva Callinan was hoping for a good result, but a crash and a broken bike unfortunately pushed all those plans to one side for this round at least!
Appreciate the tweet from Greig Scott “First Icebreaker done, Imani 2nd equal but bronze on countback. @livAWOLSpokd rider Eva Callinan unlucky to crash, all fine, but needs a new bike !!!!!”
WDMBC Cross/Central Cyclo-Cross League Round 15
Cyclo-Cross , Hayes – Sunday, 27 Jan 2019
The final round in the Central League, and a tough course criss crossing the Hillingdon road circuit and off road areas. Imogen Chastell kept up her winning streak of Junior wins, finishing 3rd overall and being followed across the finish line by team mate Connie Hayes in 4th.
Connie posted at the end of her busy weekend “Good weekend of racing. Managed to win at @LeeValleyVP @fullgascycling yesterday, always nice to start the road season with a win! Then finished off the UK cross season with 3rd senior @CentralCXLeague on a fabulous course, finally had some mud!!! @livAWOLSpokd @EpicCoaching”
Milton Cross – Eastern League Round 16
Cyclo-Cross , Milton – Sunday, 27 Jan 2019
And so to the final round of the Eastern League. With tough competition coming from Elspeth Grace (Welwyn Wheelers), Lauren showed her composure and skill to take the overall Women’s win (along with the Junior top spot). Harley Pell took 6th overall, and runner up in the Junior category.
Lauren tweeted “Last cyclocross of the season. 1st women and 1st junior and Eastern region overall series winner. Now onwards to road season. @livAWOLSpokd @gllsf @JWS_PE_Faculty @EpicCoaching @Comet_Sport @GetSpokd @LivCyclingUK”
And finally, for the U16 race, are Liv AWOL SPOK’Ds Bethany Barnett fought hard throughout the race to finish second, but it’s enough.
Therefore, in the final Eastern League standings, Lauren Higham retained her crown from last year for both the Junior category and the overall Women’s category. In 4th place overall, and runner up in the Junior category was Harley Pell, with Connie Hayes 12th (only rode in 6 races), and Imogen Chastell 22nd. Although Imogen only rode one race in the Eastern League and she did win that one!
And for Bethany Barnett it came down to the last race, and having to score well, beating her next nearest rival by 17 points.
Derby Arena Track League Spring 2019 #3
Track League , Derby – Tuesday, 29 Jan 2019
Tuesday night and track league at the Derby Arena. Louise Scupham was racing in Group 3, with 4 events including 20-lap scratch, 32-lap points, elimination and finally a 30-lap scratch. Only the top 8 riders are reported in the results, so not sure how Louise fared in 3 of the events, but she did get 7th in the elimination.
Featured photo of Victoria Lovett in new kit and with new bike
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