Women's Cycling Ireland » Round 1 – Ulster Women’s League 2010 – Phoenix GP

Round 1 – Ulster Women’s League 2010 – Phoenix GP – Sun 28th February

Phoenix CC once again hosted the first round of the Ulster Women’s League at the Nutts Corner circuit.

Ciara Mulholland (Clann Eirrean) takes the win

For once the weather conditions were good and the snow held off this year, however it was still very cold. 24 women signed on for the race, which was held over 3 laps of the circuit with total distance of 24 miles. The race was handicapped into two groups, with the limit group getting a 7-minute start over scratch.

On the first lap the limit group split as a result of strong riding by Maria Shannon (Ballymena – Scott Tiles) and Amy Brice (Phoenix CC).

Scratch working well

The scratch group worked well together over the first lap bringing the gap down to just over three minutes, but on the long drag up to the start/finish on the second lap a few riders started to suffer under the pace being set.

Crossing the start/finish line going into the last lap, Shannon and Brice now just held a slender lead of about 30 seconds, with the remainder of the women from the limit group now having been caught by scratch.

The catch was finally made just after the race turned onto the seven mile straight with about 6 miles to the finish. This group stayed together despite an effort from Kay Hack to break away leading up to the finish, and the race eventually came down to a bunch sprint with Lurgan teenager Ciara Mulholland (Clann Eireann) jumping early to hold off Limavady’s Mary Boyd (Roe Valley), Tonya Moran (Phoenix CC) and Hannah Francis from the newly formed Team Bikeworks from Bangor. Julie Mulligan (Omagh Wheelers) followed closely for 5^th and Elle Forest (Bann Valley) 6^th.

The UWA would like to thank Phoenix CC for once again putting on a great event. Behind the scenes there was a lot of work put in by Colin and Dermot Hughes and Eamon Burns. Brendan McCartan’s tea making entourage came up trumps with hot soup, sandwiches and hot drinks.

Many thanks to all the marshalls who kept the race safe, commissaires Martin Lees and Maurice McAllister and to the inimitable Paul Devenney on his motorbike. Thanks also to the members of other clubs who helped out with the marshalling and Billy Smyth for the timekeeping

Photos are courtesy of Marian Lamb, we are very grateful to her for all her assistance.

Round 2 of the league is The PJ Logan Cup held on 14th March. Pre – entry is now available so get your forms and £5 entry fee in!! Please see the cycling ulster website for the pre-entry form.

**ONLINE ENTRY FOR THE AGHAGALLON CUP IS NOW AVIALABLE**

Clann Éireann Cycle Club host the Aghagallon Cup on Sunday March 28th 2010. Due to Restrictions imposed by the PSNI, the fields are limited to 60 riders. Senior racing is therefore pre-entry at:

http://www.clanncc.net/index.php?option=com_dtregister&Itemid=56

Report Warren Francis

Phoenix GP Results

(9^th – 21^st TBC)

1 Ciara Mulholland (Clann Eirrean)

2 Mary Boyd ( Roe Valley)

3 Tonya Moran (Phoenix)

4 Hannah Francis (Team Bikeworks)

5 Julie Mulligan (Omagh)

6 Elle Forrest (Bann Valley)

7 Kay Hack (Bann Wheelers)

8 Ciara MacManus (U/A)