Jo Bruton Trophy Summer, 1987

National champion Lisa Brambani (Ravensthorpe CC) rides to second place in the Jo Bruton Trophy (sprinter Sally Hodge of Cardiff Ajax took the main honours). Brambini had won the previous two editions of the trophy, held over a series of races that culminated in the summer, in 1985 and ’86. It was always a hotly contested affair and Brambani remembers it fondly: “That series as a whole was fantastic because it was in the memory of Jo Bruton and her whole family was a massive cycling family. Her sisters rode the races as well and I’m still in touch with Emma Bruton. It was a proper series of races; they had a meaning because the other girls were riding and the mum and dad came to watch the races.

“It was the only series in the UK at the time. When you look at UK racing for women now, not much has moved on.”

She concedes her memory of those races is hazy: “I can’t really remember if I didn’t win it, I can’t remember the ones I won!”

She adds that although she was wearing the national champion’s jersey in 1987, she also won it in ’86, ’88 and ’89, and that afforded her little extra respect. “It wasn’t like these days when people wear it all the time and train in it. It wasn’t as celebrated… I guess if you’d have asked the male national champ of the same year they probably wouldn’t have known who the women’s national champion was.”

Brambani says she didn’t really have a fierce rivalry with any of the other podium placers — Hodge or third-placed Maria Blower (Charnwood CRC). She adds that she still messages Blower most days, though pointedly remarks that she was never fond of “sit-in sprinters” before adding that she and Hodge are friendly now, even if they’re not in touch.