Inverness cyclist claims fastest woman title for first time at Etape Loch Ness
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NATALIE Munro has been crowned the fastest woman at Etape Loch Ness for the first time in her career.
The Inverness cyclist claimed top spot on the podium at the end of the 66-mile sportive which took place on Sunday.
The 37-year-old, who cycles for Moray Gravel Collective, completed the course in a time of two hours 58 minutes and 50 seconds.
Martha Gates of Moray Firth Cycling Club was second fastest woman in a time of 2:58:52 with Charlotte Dewdney in third place in a time of 3:04:41.
Munro, who competed at the UCI World Gravel Championships in Italy last October says she was delighted to win the race for the first time.
“It is the first time that I am the fastest rider and it is my third time lucky doing it,” she said.
“The conditions were great and there was hardly any wind. The sun came out when we hit up Glendoe so it was really good.
“I knew that I was the first woman over the line, but that is never a guarantee that you have won it.
“Competing at the World Gravel Championship is always my biggest thing, but I am glad to be on top spot because I have come second and third in previous times.”
Munro first cycled in the event in 2014, before doing it for the second time in 2022 and then claiming the fastest woman’s title this year.
She says it could be the last time that she decides to take part in the event.
She said: “I thought that I would do it one last time, because I got top spot, I think that I have accomplished what I wanted.
“It is still too early to say though, give me a year and i’ll think about it.”
