A CYCLIST from the district was part of a team which won silver in a national event.

Joanne Rea was part of the three-strong women’s team, which excelled at the National Team Time Trial Event at Cramlington last week.

The 30-year-old form Ovingham represented Blaydon Cycle Club, which hosted the event, alongside club mates Gemma Hutchins and Angela McGurk. The event attracted teams from across the country, who competed over the 32.5-mile course, on roads in the Cramlington area.

“We did really well,” said Joanna. “The three of us had a really good race and to win silver is just brilliant.

“We didn’t have any great expectations because the standard of competition was very high.”

Joanne, who is a solicitor, only joined the club in April 2017, having only took up cycling in August of the previous year.

She added: The women’s team at Blaydon have been going great this year.

“We are all professional women juggling work with training, and now we have a thriving squad.

“It is good for competition, but also on a social level. We have a great community at the club, and we are always trying to encourage more people to get involved.”

Joanne will accompany Gemma and Angela at a black tie awards ceremony in Cambridge, where they will receive their medals.

The three women came second to winners Team Swift, which included Gemma Frost, of Consett. Blaydon finished seventh in the men’s event.

Blaydon Cycle Club competes in races within the Northumberland and Durham Cycling Association.

Joanna and Gemma have also recently won a team prize for best all-round performance as a racing pair.