Girl Power with Venhill

Harriet Ridley finishes 3rd in Ducati Desmodue Cup

Venhill supported rider Harriet Ridley I finished third in the 2008 Ducati Sporting Club Desmodue championship.

S$o much has happened since Betty the bike and Harriet finished second in Round Three at Assen in Holland. The following Round Four was at Pembrey in South Wales where 'H' finished second throughout. She couldn’t quite keep with the championship leader Matt Traynar, although she had beaten him at a rain drenched Assen. If only she could get that win...

Having shed her novice bib on time for Round Five at Brands Hatch (home track) 'H' couldn’t wait ... until race morning when the heavens opened! A packed grid meant those who didn’t get their entries in promptly were placed on the reserves list. 'H' finished a respectable fourth in both races.

Heading for Donington Park in high spirits, a new threat loomed. Tony Perrin, who until then 'H' had beaten easily, arrived with a new engine and a new turn of speed. 'H' held the fastest time in qualifying until the last lap, when TP pipped her to pole position.

Harriet went into Round Seven at Snetterton determined to up her game. In glorious sunshine she slashed the previous 583 lap record by almost two seconds. But it still wasn’t enough to fend off Matt’s talent and TP’s new-found speed and she finished third. The lights went out for Race Two. 'H' threw herself into the first corner and grabbed the holeshot. Suddenly, two seasons of honing skills and Betty came together. 'H' was leading – and remained in the lead for almost the entire 12-lap race, with the odd challenge from Matt. Victory was assured until the last corner of the last lap, when 'H' became giddy with excitement, braked too early without defending her line into Russell’s chicane. Matt sailed through to take the chequered a fraction ahead of Harriet. "I’d beaten TP to finish second, and had come achingly close to my first win. It was a breakthrough. We’d also slashed the previous 583 lap record by almost three seconds" commented Harriet.

The final Round Eight was at tricky Cadwell Park, where Harriet had crashed in both races last year. As the lights went out 'H' had flying starts, winning one race and coming a close second in another, finishing third overall in the 2008 Desmodue championship. "Did I mention I won a race? At Cadwell Park of all places. HOORAY!"