Kay plays part as Garner retains title (From Halesowen News)

Kay plays part as Garner retains title

8:20pm Saturday 22nd September 2012 in Sport

HALESOWEN cycling starlet Emily Kay played her part as Great Britain tasted more cycling glory.

The 16-year-old was part of the five-strong team which helped Lucy Garner to victory in the women’s junior road race at the world championships in Valkenburg yesterday.

Kay, Molly Weaver, Jessie Walker and Elinor Barker supported Garner, who became only the second woman to win back-to-back junior titles.

Riding in her first world championships, Halesowen Cycling Club rider Kay was able to stay in the leading group over two of five 16.5km laps.

But the gruelling route, which took riders up the Bemelerberg and Cauberg hills on each circuit, eventually took its toll and she dropped back to finish 63rd. Only Barker was able to keep up with Garner in the lead group, eventually handing her team-mate the perfect lead out in the final sprint.

GB cycling performance director David Brailsford was impressed by the team’s effort.

He told BBC Sport: "For a young team to ride in the way they did and to get the lead out and to dominate the sprint is so exciting.

"We've had incredible success through the summer but to watch youngsters break through is in some ways even more exciting."