One Day Training Camp – Mullingar 10th March 2012
This will be a fully coached camp catering for all levels of female cyclists, from beginners to experienced competitors. The attendees will be split into suitable groups based on ability, and the training spins will vary in distance and focus. This camp will act as an excellent introduction to cycling for newer members to the sport. It was a great opportunity for the competitive riders to come together for a weekend last year so we hope to see you again this year.

Beginner Leagues 2012 (handicapped starting times)
These races are open to female riders of all fitness and ability levels including beginners, youths and juniors. With expert advice on hand, the Leagues are aimed at those interested in getting into racing for the first time and will be great for improving fitness, cornering, bunch skills and the all important tea and chat afterward.

Orwell ladies Crit League 2012 (Sandyford industrial estate-Dublin)
10, 17 & 24 April & 1, 8, 15 May 2012

Wicklow Ladies League (Ashford – Wicklow)
22nd May, 29th May, 5th June and 12th June

Swords Ladies League
7th + 21st Aug

Weekend Training Camp – Wicklow 18th & 19th August 2012
This will be coached training camp and should provide good cycling skills for riders with their personal goals. The timing of this camp is also perfect for those in preparation for Rás na mBan.

National League 2012
The National league has been running successfully for years and the numbers have grown significantly. These races are women’s only league to encourage women to compete in road racing and can provide great close racing and will have prizes including the coveted title of National League Champion 2012.
Sandra Fitzgerald the 2011 champion is now a pilot on the squad for the Paracycling Team announced for LA Track World Championships.

11th March Waller Cup Bohermeen
22nd April Combes Conor Memorial
13th May Dunsany CP Navan CP
27th May 2012 Emyvale GP
21st July 10 mile TT Sorrento CC
29th July Brendan Campbell Memorial Drogheda Wheelers

Classic League 2012
The Classic league is run in conjunction with the A3 races for the more experienced women.

15th April Stamullen GP
29th April Noel/Kieran Hammond
10th June Meath GP (Sean Nolan) Navan Cycling Club
11th -12th Aug Ballinrobe 2 day

National Championship events
23rd June – National Women’s Road Race championships, Clonmel CC
21st June – National TT Championships Women, Clonmel CC
2nd September – Senior Track Championships

Stage Races
30th June & 1st July Mullingar 2 day
This women’s only two day stage race is a fantastic opportunity for women who haven’t experienced the excitement and perhaps the nerves of watching your progress in the GC (General Classification) at the end of each stage.

9th – 13th September Ras na mBan (Sneem)
Rás na mBan is Ireland’s premier women’s international stage race. It takes place on the extraordinarily beautiful and challenging roads of County Kerry in Ireland. Entrants include local club and national level women riders from Ireland competing with riders from the rest of Europe and beyond.

For updates and further information please see womenscycling.ie

Hopefully this element of the Women’s League will grow, and the dynamic of teams racing will give an added layer to the increasingly exciting women’s scene.

Lucan got off to a strong start in the team prize, with the team headed by Lucan stalwarth Roisin Kennedy and League winner Sandra Fitzgerald, but the Orwell Wheelers proved too strong in the end with a strength and depth in numbers, achieving 236 points to Lucan’s 203. In third place was Usher Irish Road Club.

The team prizes for the Women’s National League, along with the Classic League prizes will be presented at the Women’s Commission AGM on the 23rd October.

Full Team Results are HERE

Individual Results are HERE

The final round of the Women’s National League was hosted by Lakeland CC in Fermanagh, who gave a great welcome to the closing race in the nine race league which was sponsored by Joe Daly Cycles and Velotec. Lucan’s Sandra Fitzgerald topped a stunning season taking home the Anne Behan Trophy, with Melanie Spath from Cycleways winning the final race.

Melanie Spath takes final stage of Women’s National League as Sandra Fitzgerald takes home the Anne Behan trophy as the 2011 National League Winner.

Melanie Spath stole the show in Enniskillen on Saturday as she soloed home for the first of a family double.  Mel normally more accustomed to mountain bike trails showed her class as she and national league leader Sandra Fitzgerald rode away form the field on the long drag three quarters way round the course.

How it unfolded

This was to be the last race of both the National and Ulster leagues and so promised to be quite a tactical affair as there were lots of different agendas as rider’s form both leagues looked to consolidate or better their league standing.  However the introduction of the over 50s men to the field added another dimension altogether.

We headed off at a fair lick as the men got to the front and drilled it and in the wet conditions the bunch was happy just to motor along for a while into quite a strong head wind.  Once the rain eased off the women got into race mode and a number of attempts were made to escape the bunch.  Nothing was sticking and the bunch soon settled back into a rhythm waiting for the dreaded long drag. (Ok so I was a little economical with the truth saying it was relatively flat!!)

The climb took its toll on the bunch while Mel and Sandra rode off into the distance the rest of us clambered up the 3 k or so an assent. A good group of us managed to regroup at the bottom leaving some of the main contenders for the gallop behind.  Kennedy tried to go clear of this group but once again the men were having none of it and she was reeled in and again we marched on to the last few kilometres.

Up the road Fitzgerald was unlucky to puncture out of the break but still had enough in hand to finish ahead of the chasing bunch and Melanie Spath took the win. With a kilometre to go Amy Brice of Phoenix CC put in a savage attack to go clear of the pack a take a well deserved 3^rd place while Ulster Women’s association member Mandy Collie showed her class by leading in the bunch to take a fine 4^th place followed by yet another Ulster women Sinead Rivers (Roe Valley CC) with Anne Dalton (Orwell CC) after a very strong performance taking the last of the spoils in 6^th place.

Results

1. Melanie Spath Cycle ways
2. Sandra Fitzgerald Lucan CC
3. Amy Brice Phoenix CC
4. Mandy Collie Team Basso
5. Sinead Rivers Roe Valley CC
6. Anne Dalton Orwell Wheelers
7. Fiona Cooke Marble City CC
8. Niamb Stephens UCD CC
9. Ciara Kinch Orwell Wheelers
10. Roisin Kennedy Lucan CC

Enniskillen is the venue for the Final round of the Joe Daly/Louis Garneau 2011 Women’s National League.  Sandra Fitzgerald of Lucan CC going into the last race looks to have the league sewn up however the battle for the other top five places is still well and truly on.

Lakeland CC will be the host for this final event and with it also doubling up as the final for the Ulster Women’s league it promises to be an exciting days racing.

The prize presentation for both leagues will be held after the race however the Medals for the National League will be awarded at the Champions Dinner on Sat 12^th November (the evening of Cycling Ireland AGM)

This event is a pre entry event but Lakeland have allowed us just to send them an entry form of our intention to ride and pay on the day.

The course is two laps of a 40 mile (64km) course (nothing mad hilly in it)

Come join the fun and support Women’s racing.

Full rankings can be downloaded here: National-League-points-2011-penultimate OH 2

2008 Women’s League winner from St Finbarr’s Fiona Meade made a return to National League racing last weekend, with a win in Donore in the penultimate round of the women’s National League. Photos thanks to Brendan Culleton.

The Brendan Campbell Memorial was the venue for the penultimate round of the Joe Daly / Louis Garneau Women’s National League.  With many riders making the trip from the four corners of the country over 20 women lined out for today’s race. It was always going to be a tactical affair with a lot of riders looking to consolidate their positions in the League.

How it unfolded

With 7 laps of a relatively short but lumpy circuit Meade was aggressive from the start driving it up the first short climb out of the village she soon got a small gap on the field after the sharp left hander.  However the bunch were not about to let anyone away so early on and it all came together on the flat but fast section.

Numerous other attempts were made to escape the bunch the most notable was established by Swords rider Laura Banfield and Phoenix rider Amy Brice who were joined by Meade (St Finbars) Anne Dalton (Orwell) this quartet tried to get a rhythm going but in the undulating and windy conditions it was hard to get anything established and was eventually reeled back in.

The race continued in this vein with small groups getting a short advantage only to be reeled back in playing into the hands of the Sprinters.

Coming to the final few km Sinead Breen (Orwell) put in a brave attack to get the jump on the sprinters but Meade was too strong and reeled her in with another Orwell Ania Krol marking her, Ania then took up the lead for the final k with Meade, Fitzgerald, Telford (Orwell) all hot on her heals and with 500 to go Meade unleashed her impressive sprint to take 1^st place ahead of League Leader Fitzgerald.  Sandra Telford beat veteran team mate Hendron into 4^th place to take a fine 3^rd place.

More photos here: HERE

We would like to thank Ger Campbell and his team for the second time this year hosting a Women’s race. It was a really safe a well run event.  Many thanks also to all the Marshalls who were out there all day for the Youth racing too.

The Final race of the 2011 Women’s National League will now take place in Enniskillen on Saturday 27^th August race start 12.30 sign on between 10.00 – 11.30

Please note this is a pre entry event details of race can be found on

www.lakelandcc.co.uk/cycling-568.html.

Full results and rankings here: National-League-points-2011-after donore

Top Ten

1. Fiona Meade (St Finbars CC)
2. Sandra Fitzgerald  (Lucan CC)
3. Sandra Telford (Orwell Wheelers)
4. Orla Hendron ( Orwell Wheelers)
5. Mandy Collie (Team Basso)
6. Amy Brice (Phoenix)
7. Ania Krol (Orwell Wheelers)
8. Charlotte McDonald (Orwell Wheelers)
9. Monica Marconi ( Henry J Lyons CC)
10. Laura Banfield (Swords CC)

The round this weekend will be the last chance for selection on the Rás na mBan Irish National Team for any interested riders. The final round will take place in Enniskillen on Sunday 21st August – more information to follow.

Sign on – Donore National School

Race Time – 2pm sharp

The below event has been cancelled – but we will announce details of the replacement race shortly. This will be the closing event of the 2011 Women’s National League!

Roe Valley Leisure Centre – 21st August 2011 – part of Women’s National League AND Cycling Ulster Women’s League.

S Moore & Son – Danny Boy Stage Race – 21^st August 2011

Roe Valley Entry Form

To include a Time Trial and Road Race.

Also a round of the National League and Ulster Women’s League

HQ – Roe Valley Leisure Centre.  Full changing facilities available from 09.00

Entry Fee £10.00.  No entries on race day.

Time Trial  – approx 3.6 miles  http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/41165304/?open_ive_done=1

Sign on – Aghanloo Community Centre beside start

Additional Toilet Facilities and Parking available.

First rider off at 09.30 sharp.

Start numbers will be allocated in advance.

Road Race – Laps 3.78 miles

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/41167522/?open_ive_done=1

Sign on – Roe Valley Leisure Centre

Women Start – 12.45 – 6 laps

Strictly no following cars on circuit.

Parking limited at church – please remember rider safety – do not park on the course!

Map to race start

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/41169576/?open_ive_done=1

More information to follow.

Email George Boyd – mg.boyd@tiscali.co.uk

The Mark Hayden memorial was held in Kildavin on the 17^th July 2011. This race has gained a well deserved reputation for being a hard test, with its hard windswept roads, and this edition was no different. The course took riders on a 60km route that certainly tested the legs of all.

On the first lap of racing the bunch remained intact with riders not willing to allow a breakaway form too early on. Ciara kinch (Leinster Team) was relentless in her attacks but strong riders in Laura Banfield (Irish development Squad) and Fiona Cooke (Marble City Cycles) covered all the moves keeping the risk of the formation of a breakaway at bay. Fiona put in a massive performance keeping the pace high and making a number of very powerful attacks.

Approaching the final lap, the bunch was still altogether despite the aggressive nature of the riding. With approximatley 20km to go Roisin Kennedy (Lucan CRC) made a significant attack gaining sizeable gap however the Leinster Team saw the danger in the National League stage winner getting away and were hot on her heels. Strong riding by Leinster away saw Kennedy reeled back to the lively bunch.  With 5km to go Laura Banfield made a solo break for home but the bunch were not content to allow her to get away.

The finish was technical with a sharp right hand turn followed by a short climb to the finish. In the end of any one of a number of riders were well in contention for the win but in the end Sandra Fitzgerald (Lucan CRC) just pipped Sandra Telford to the line, who was riding with Leinster. The rest of the bunch steamed in behind fighting hard for the minor placings

The Leinster team rode well together and kept the pace high throughout. They were rewarded when three Leinster riders finished in the top 6! It was a great team performance. Great racing by all by concerned.

Women’s Race Results 
1) Sandra Fitzgerald Lucan
2) Sandra Telford Leinster
3) Ania Kroie Leinster
4) Laura Banfield Swords CC
5) Mandy Collie Team Basso
6) Ciara Kinch Leinster

Round 7 of the Women’s National League was a TT hosted by Sorrento CC. The added incentive of €150 on offer to anyone who could break the existing league record of 24min enticed many riders. League Leader, Sandra Fitzgerald from Lucan, knocked a second off the long standing record set by Jenny Fay in 2005, to win the round in a time of 23.59. This was 2 seconds faster than Melanie Spath, with Orla Hendron in third spot.

Results from a wet and windy Carlow:

The top ten were:

1st – Sandra Fitzgerald
2nd – Sandra Telford
3rd – Ania Krol
4th – Laura Banfield
5th – Mandy Collie
6th - Ciara Kinch
7th – Roisin Kennedy
8th – Niamh Stephens
9th – Charlotte McDonnald
10th – Rachael Glendin

Note that the below ranking is before adjusted totals – so everyone’s two worst results will be deleted from the total after the last event!

Current Rankings:

The club will run its 7th Annual Open 10 Mile TT on Saturday 23th July at Kilpeddar.  This year we are delighted that the event will also incorporate a round of the Women’s National League series.

Sign-on will open at 9:45am with the race start at 11am.  Race HQ is in The Grove Inn (Devereaux’s), 1 mile north of Kilpeddar Village, off the northbound carriageway of the N11, approximately 5 miles south of Bray.

Entry fee is €10 for Seniors/Vets and €5 for Juniors. Underage are free. A racing license is required and one day licenses will be available.

The course runs from Kilpeddar to Coynes Cross and back. Turns will be marshalled and the road marked.

The Joe Daly Cycles Louis Garneau Women’s National League will head to Carlow this weekend.  Round Six of this popular League will be hosted by Carlow CC and run in conjunction with the Mark Hayden Memorial.

Things couldn’t be tighter at the top of the league with Lucan rider Sandra Fitzgerald still holding on to the Pink Jersey she took over form former National Champion Geraldine Gill, however there are a number of riders still ready to pounce if Sandra should faultier in the last few races of the 2011 League.

In the Team Prize Orwell Wheelers have a clear lead scoring consistently with three riders in the top ten every week.  Lucan is next and with only two riders scoring on most outing has done really well to be within 24 points of the Leaders.  Usher IRC who started off very strong through misfortune have dropped to a very creditable 3 place scoring 77points Lakeside Wheelers are lying 4^th with 53 points and Bohermeen are 5^th with 47 points.

This course always produces an exciting finish last year a lone rider got away from the peloton and a bunch sprint separated the other positions.  The course is not hilly although it does have a short sharp drag just before the finish.  It is a nice windy course but the wind can sometimes make life difficult so the more the merrier.

Sign on is in Kildavin GAA Club Carlow at 10 am for a 12.15 start.

Distance  2 laps of a 18.5 mile course total 37 Miles

For Further information please contact Brian Hayden on 087 7623153.

Lucan’s Roisin Kennedy stormed home (on her birthday) for the win, in challenging conditions. RANKING ADDED!

Roisin Kennedy of Lucan CC celebrated her birthday in style by winning round five of the Joe Daly Cycles, Louis Garneau Women’s National League.  On what was to prove to be a very challenging days racing for all the women Kennedy showed she is coming into some nice form ahead of the National Championships in Emyvale with a superb ride to secure her first victory of this years League.

How it unfolded

With harsh weather conditions to be the order of the day the development riders were in no mood to hang around so on the early drag a group of three development team riders namely Laura Banfield (Swords), Orla McEvoy (Bray) and Charlotte McDonald (Orwell) clipped away.  Sensing this could be a dangerous move Ciara Mulholland a junior form Clann Eireann CC made an impressive jump across along with Caroline Conway (Usher IRC) to this group.  With no Lucan riders in the break the Lucan duo of Roisin Kennedy and League Leader Sandra Fitzgerald were forced to chase.  On the most significant accent of the day most of the break was reeled in bar Ciara and Caroline.

Kennedy then made her move after a few flurries of attacks she broke free with Ciara Kinch of (Orwell) covering her move.  The two rode hard and made it across to the two leaders.

Roisin and Ciara went straight to the front, and Mulholland lost contact, Leaving a leading trio of Roisin Kennedy (LCRC), Ciara Kinch (Orwell) and Caroline Conway (IRC) to battle out the last lap,

Mean while behind a chasing group of Laura Banfield, Orla Hendron and Sandra Fitzgerald were riding hard to bridge the gap

Coming into the final kilometres the gap between the lead group and the Pink Jersey group had stretched out from a minute to just over two minutes, and in her first full year of racing the 80k distance finally got to Conway dropping off the pace while Kennedy powered on ahead of the more experienced Kinch to secure a fantastic victory on such an awful day.

Meanwhile the battle for the minor placing was a very tactical affair with League leader finally loosing out to Hendron in 4^th place and Banfield in a fine fifth place. Fitzgerald took the last envelope of the day.

A big thanks to Navan CC for yet again supporting Women’s Racing by hosting a race for the Women and being very generous with the Prize fund and Lovely Trophy.

Caroline Conway (IRC) faded approaching the final 5km, and Kennedy pushed on alone to take her Third Win In a Week, and on her 33rd birthday,

Ciara Kinch came home in 2nd with Caroline Conway holding on for third.

While Fitzgerald battled home alone in 6th, with the remainder of the field spread out over the course, on a very tough day for racing.

RESULTS AND RANKING: RANKING

This Sunday Navan Cycling club are holding round 5 of the Women’s National league, there will be a mass start following the A3 race. After Emyvale Sandra Fitzgerald has extended her lead to 49 points over second place Orla Hendron (45 points) and Roisin Kennedy a little further back with 34. Mandy Collie who has just completed the Donegal 3 day is a just behind in 4^th place and I’m sure will come to the race with some great form after last weekend!

This week’s race circuit is best described as a challenging 75km over rolling terrain with one significant climb of just over one mile. The race organisers have arranged a trophy for the race winner and prizes down to at least 6^th.

Sign on is from 11am and we are due to start at just after 1pm behind the A3 bunch. Good Luck and we hope to see you all there!

Current Leader Board:

Sandra Fitzgerald 49
Orla Hendron 45
Roisin Kennedy 34
Mandy Collie 31
Geraldine Gill 30
Gillian McDarby 26

Heather Wilson wins round 4 of the Women’s National League, in Emyvale. Photo courtesy of Marian Lamb.

Emyvale was the venue for the 4^th round of the ever popular Louis Garneau Joe Daly Cycles Women’s National League.  Although missing a number of women on Ras duty there was still a great showing of over 20 women including former National Champion and pervious winner of this race Heather Wilson, Fiona Meade last years bronze medallist in the Nationals had also made the long trip up from Cork and so with other notables such as World class Para pilot Fran Meehan it had all the makings of a tough day at the races.

How it unfolded

Sandra Fitzgerald was wearing the pink leaders Jersey taking over the lead from Geraldine Gill after last weekends race in Bohermeen.  Sandra wasn’t about to rest on her laurels and after a flurry of attacks notably from Fiona Meade and Francine Meehan, Sandra launched her attack with only Heather Wilson recovered enough to bridge over to her.

This duo were a formidable force and soon build up a sizeable lead with the rest of the bunch attacking each other and trying to bridge across but when it became obvious no one was going to be allowed to cross on their own a concerted effort to real the two leaders in developed, but in the windy conditions this relatively flat course became more difficult and it took some time before they were eventually hauled in.

Caroline Conway of Usher had the bad luck to puncture just before the catch so now the lead group was seven and with a strong group chasing, the leaders still had to plough on and although there were a few attempts to leave the group on the fast section with the wind behind it wasn’t until the last 7 or 8 k that the lead group were split with an attack by Orla Hendron of Orwell just before the sharp left hander on to the fast section and the run to home with Heather Wilson and Fiona Meade bridging across to her. These three worked hard together and opened up a decent gap to stay away from a strong chasing group of Mandy Collie, Julie Mulligan and Tonya Moran. At the finish Heather took the win from Fiona with Orla claiming third to record her best placing for the league to date.  Sandra holds on to her Pink jersey by coming in 4^th and team mate Roisin Kennedy must be moving up the rankings with her fine 5^th Fran Meehan took the final prize of the day in 6^th Place.

Once again Mickey McKenna and his team put on a great day with a very safe and well marshalled course.  Emyvale CC will host this years National Championship so if you would like to show your appreciation for their support of women’s cycling over the years please coming out and enter the National Championships to be run over two days for the women the TT on Thur evening the 23^rd of June and the Road Race on Saturday morning the 25^th June at 11am.

Many thanks to Emyvale CC for a fantastic day and awarding prizes in depth.

Full results

1. Heather Wilson (MaryLand Wheelers)
2. Fiona Meade (St Finbars)
3. Orla Hendron (Orwell Wheelers)
4. Sandra Fitzgerald (Lucan CC)
5. Roisin Kennedy (Lucan CC)
6. Francine Meehan (Tullamore CC)
7. Ciara Kinch (Orwell Wheelers)
8. Monica Marconi (Henry J Lyons and Partners)

Another strong field lined out for the second round of the Women’s National league held in Drogheda. Geraldine Gill of Bohermeen was wearing the pink jersey as she stands in first place overall.

The small handicap group headed off with a two minute advantage being chased by a group of approximately 30 strong riders, the pace stayed high from the start with riders like Mel Spath riding hard.

The handicap group were working well and were only caught towards the end of the first lap, the group together rode at a steady pace before the attacks began. Roisin Kennedy of Lucan gave a fantastic effort on the drag on the third lap, the group were quickly on everything and it became clear nothing was going to get away. Charlotte from Owell timed a jump well on the last lap and there was some frantic chasing as the favourites including league leader Geraldine Gill were getting worried.

The run into the sprint picked up fast with a strong tail wind, a few riders were dropped in the last km. Ciara had ridden a very sensible race staying away from the attacks leaving her legs ready to give a strong sprint and take first place ahead of Sandra Fitzgerald and Mel Spath.

Thank you to the hosting club Drogheda for a safe race, refreshments and the good weather.

Sarah Piner

In round 2 of the Louis Garneau and Joe Daly Cycles Women’s National League on Sunday, junior rider Ciara Mulholland was quickest to the line in the race hosted by Drogheda Wheelers CC. Photos Courtesy of Brendan Culleton.

Brendan Culleton’s Photo Gallery: HERE

Report and rankings to follow:

Results (top 10):

1. Ciara Mulholland

2. Sandra Fitzgerald

3. Mel Spath

4. Orla Hendron

5. Geraldine Gill

6. Sarah Piner

7. Sandra Telford

8. Laura Banfield

9. Caroline Conway

10. Mandy Collie

Top Rankings:

Team Ranking:

Orwell   total 55

Lucan  total 48

Bohermeen  total 35

Lakeside Wheelers total 30

Usher IRC total 27

Cuchulainn CC total 25

Rider Rankings – top 10

TEAM RANKINGS

NATIONAL LEAGUE RULES 2011

• 3 points for starting, riders who start the race but don’t finish get 3 points.

• 5 points for finishing, riders who finish the race but are not placed will get 5 points.

• 8 races in the league in total, best 6 results count towards the overall league standings.

-League standings to be re-adjusted after stage 7.

• Handicap points – Junior’s 2 points per event.

• No points handicap for any senior riders.

• First three races are handicapped. This is to ease Junior’s or new people into the National League racing standard (for those with no race experience).

• Race points awarded from 15 down to 6 (the winner will get 15 points, 2^nd will get 14…)

• This year there will be a team prize with the top 3 riders from each team recorded per race.

-Prizes awarded at the end of the National league as opposed to after each race.

• The leader of the league must wear the leader’s jerseys.

• If two riders are on equal points and in the Leaders position than the rider who was originally in the Leader’s jersey will remain so until overtaken in the points system.

• In the event where two riders are on equal points but neither of them are currently holding the Jersey then the person who scored best in the last race will wear the Jersey.

• The women’s races are completely separate from the men’s, no riding with the men’s bunch during a national league event.

The National league is run by the Women’s commission for Cycling Ireland and at all times will remain unbiased and fair in any decisions made. The women’s commission do however reserve the right to make changes or amendments to the rules and points structure if required.

Great turn out for round one of the Women’s National League – Report by Sarah Piner.

A great start to the race season for the Joe Daly Cycles and Louis Garneau Women’s National league with nearly 40 on the start line from various clubs around Ireland. Orwell were well represented along with teams from hosting club Dundalk, Lakeside Wheelers, Usher and Lucan.

The race was divided into two groups at the start with the first getting a small handicap of 2 minutes. The second group chased hard with Roisin doing more than her share of the work and the gap was closed within the first 7km. With the bunch together the attacks soon started, everyone keen to see what form the competition had coming into the season.

Joanne Hickey was determined to escape from the bunch and on several occasions had a gap alone or with a small group of riders including track world champion Orla Hendron, Roisin Kennedy and Geraldine Gill.

Going into the last lap the group were together again, Aoife Lynch from Lucan made a fantastic break on the flat before heading up the climb for the last time. Had the group not reacted so quickly it could have been the decisive move of the race and Lynch was brought in by eventual race winner Gillian McDarby of Usher.

The group turned at the roundabout for the last time and headed back up the hill they had just descended towards the finish. There was plenty of pushing for position as the 1km to go sign was passed and the pace picked up at 200m to go. Gillian rode a great race and crossed the line first ahead of Geraldine Gill and Roisin Kennedy.

It was a great race and sets the scene for what looks to be a very competitive women’s series with some new talented riders. Thanks to all in Cuchulainn CC for a great race, well marshalled, with some welcome refreshments after.

Round two will be hosted by Drogheda Wheelers on the 10th April.