Ffion Drake started the British cyclo-cross National Trophy Series with a quarter of wins. In Derby she took first by 23 seconds, in Falkirk by one minute, 52 seconds and in Clanfield she won by one minute and 14 seconds. Once she’d crossed the line in West Bromwich in first on 16 November, the overall title was already hers - despite another two rounds to go.
But the 26-year-old’s first real hurdle this season came at the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup in Flamanville - Drake’s first ever. Her wheel buckled underneath her, sending her straight over the handlebars and landing flat on her chest. It was only when the last embers of adrenaline had left her that she realised the extent of her injuries. She still managed to finish 18th, somehow.
