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A missing marshal cost Andrea Nightingale critical minutes in a world championship cycling race – but the Guernsey woman was still the second Brit over the line.
The triathlete was competing in the 22.5km (13.98m) individual time trial event at the Age Group World Cycling Championships in Albi, France, when disaster struck.
‘I felt strong and half-way through the race, I had already caught and passed two riders. I had recced the course the day before and on the day there were marshals on every roundabout. I came to the last roundabout, and there was no marshal,’ said Mrs Nightingale.
‘I went around and on the first exit there was a cyclist at the end of a very long straight road, so I instinctively followed the rider only to find she wasn’t racing. There was also a car on the road and it was a closed road event.’
The drama meant the 55-year-old lost several minutes during the race. ‘By the time I got back to the roundabout the marshal had appeared and was waving frantically to tell me I had gone the wrong way,’ said Mrs Nightingale.
‘I was so upset and gutted that I had lost at least five to six minutes. I still was the second Brit home out of four and came 12th which was some consolation, although it was very much a case of ‘what only’ in this race.’
A determined performance in the 97km (60.2m) road race at the same championships also saw the athlete land a top 10 place in 35C heat.
Mrs Nightingale, who is supported by Ravenscroft, said: “I was amongst a breakaway of four from the second pack of riders to try and catch the leading pack, but we were too far back. I had a sprint finish on the line with a South African in my age group.
‘I thought she had edged in front but we were given the same time. My goal was three hours for the 97km (60.2miles) and I came ninth overall out of 33 starters in two hours, 50 minutes and 28 seconds.
She added: ‘My average speed was 22.24 mph and I was the second Team GB member to cross the line out of 16. Being in the top 10 in the world in my age group and at my first attempt was just an incredible feeling. I loved every minute and can’t wait to try for a better position next year if I qualify.’
The next challenge for Mrs Nightingale, who is Guernsey’s drug and alcohol strategy coordinator, will be at the Olympic distance triathlon World Age Championships in Rotterdam, in the Netherlands, on Sunday 17th September.
Katy Sandrey, group head of marketing & PR at Ravenscroft, said: ‘Andrea’s performance at the Albi championships was outstanding, especially when you consider the vital minutes she lost because of a missing marshal. Finishing amongst the top cyclists in the world in her age group is an amazing achievement.’
