High5 Dream Team’s Chloe Moran has sprinted to third place on Stage 2 of the 2017 Tour of the South West, being narrowly beaten home by Sophie Mackay (Specialized Women’s Racing) and Macey Stewart (TIS Racing Team).

For Moran, it was her first time on the podium as a member of the High5 Dream Team, in just her fourth National Road Series event.

‘I’m really happy to get my first ever National Road Series podium, it came down to the wire and I think there were a few things I could’ve done differently that could’ve changed the result, and as a team collectively we’ve all come away with some things to improve on going into the next stage.’

‘The conditions played a big part in the race today, there were strong winds and some rain which made for a bit of gutter action! There were a couple of times the High5 Dream Team tried to get a split going, with really strong riding from Em and Ruby, but I think some of the other teams wanted to keep it together so nothing got away during the stage.’

‘In the end, it came down to a bunch sprint, it was a pretty hectic finish and I think I got myself a bit caught and when I finally went for the sprint it was that little bit too late to get the win. I haven’t raced much NRS before; going in I was a bit unsure of where I was at so today was a good indicator of what I can work on going forward.’

With the team riding to protect Sam de Riter for a sprint finish, the plan had to be changed out on the road due to a mechanical issue that put de Riter out of the race.  Thanks to some quick thinking, Moran was able to take responsibility for the team’s result.

‘Initially, the plan was to ride for Sam but she had an unfortunate mechanical early in the race, putting her out for the day. Unfortunately, we didn’t really get a lead out going which is something to look to improve in other races but with Sam gone, it was up to me to try to go for the sprint.’

With one stage to go, a 40 minute criterium in Peterborough, the High5 Dream Team are looking to end the tour on a high.

‘We’ve got a few options to play tomorrow depending on how the race unfolds and what the conditions are like, so we’ll have to see when it comes down to it but hopefully, the team can get a good result to finish the tour,’ concluded Moran.

In the morning Stage 1 time trial, wet and wild conditions synonymous with the Tour of the South West greeted the riders for the early morning start.

Tessa Fabry was the highest placed High5 Dream Team rider, finishing 9th in a time of 17:36.04. After Stage 2, Fabry is the highest placed rider on the team, currently 10th on General Classification, 35 seconds behind race leader Lisen Hockings with one stage remaining.

Images copyright Con Chronis