Flying Fox victorious in Kent cycling event

Mid-Devon Cycling Club’s Lauren Fox built on an impressive off-road season during the winter by pulling off a ‘statement’ victory at the VC Londres Two-Day meeting at the Gravesend Cyclopark.

Against many of the brightest young talents in the south of England, Fox grew stronger over the four stages, winning the last two, to take the Girls Under-16 competition overall by 13 seconds.

It’s also her first year in the age-group.

MDCC took a ten-strong squad to Kent. All gained valuable experience and several gave promising performances that augurs well for the road season ahead.

Overall results: Under-16 Girls – Eva Fox 12th, Lara Dix 13th; Boys – Edward Fraile-Whysall 8th, Dexter Townsend 10th, Jacob Start 29th, Bayley Woodger 45th, Meryn Kitchen 46th.

Under-14 Boys – Matt Holmes 8th, George Stacey 33rd; Girls – Lauren Fox 1st.

Torquay’s WorldTour pro Harrison Wood (Cofidis) continues his build-up to a hoped-for ride in next month’s Giro d’Italia in this week’s hill-packed Itzulia Basque Country in northern Spain.

Wood made a strong finish to the recent Tour of Catalonia, forcing his way into a breakaway on the final stage into Barcelona. A similar performance in the Itzulia will make a strong case for his inclusion in the Giro.