Strong
winds and hard racing made for an exciting and intense Senior Women’s National
Championship as Lara Gillespie sprinted to victory.
The
UCD Cycling Club rider came first in a masse sprint victory which filled the
finish straight at Knockaderry on the last day of the Newcastle West Wheelers promoted
event.
Lara,
19, was followed on the line by Thursday’s Time Trial National Champion Eve
McCrystal (Strata 3-VeloRevolution) and Ellen McDermott (Team Boompods).
The
day began in cold but sunny conditions, as the thirty strong field raced
downhill to the first turn. Very quickly a break formed with McCrystal attacking
in a small group.
But
as the 20-kilometre lap continued the breeze turned from light to gale
nullifying multiple escapes from gaining traction.
There
were multiple attempts to break free but on the heavy terrain they were
constantly brought back to the peloton.
There
was little chance that the strong women’s field would settle and as they closed
in on the finish, after 80 kilometres of racing, they were more attempts to
break the standoff. But the last kilometre saw tense tactics come into play as
high pace saw riders begin to mark each other for the sprint.
Gillespie
kicked hard on the uphill sprint and took the victory a bike length ahead of
McCrystal. Ellen Mc Dermott claimed the final podium spot.
Lara
Gillespie, speaking just minutes after her victory, paid tribute to the
strength of the other riders.
She
said: “It was intense from the beginning of the race, there was a group off the
front. We were coming up the hill and with about 500 metres to go it just felt
like it was going on for ages, it was a really good race.
“So
many strong women out today, I am just really surprised that I won. I am so
proud, I worked so hard all year. I was so disappointed after the TT - I was
really motivated.
“The
last kilometre was very tactical. Everyone was watching each other, I thought I
was in a rubbish position and there were nearly a few crashes, I just got a gap
on the outside and I went for it. It felt way longer than I thought but luckily
it went well.”
Eve
McCrystal gave her read of the race: “I attacked on the first lap, it was very
difficult from the start, to get away.
“From
beginning the wind wasn’t as bad, but as the day progressed it got stronger and
a few attacks went up the road and stuck for a while. But nothing was sticking
long enough, I think the long open road and the fact that when they went away
we always had them in sight also contributed.
“By
the last lap we just knew it would come down to a sprint to the line, I am
delighted for Lara, she had an amazing kick on her and I just did my best to hold
on and get second.
“I’m
delighted I got podium but I was just so close to winning. I’m happy, I had a
great weekend, I can’t complain and I am delighted for Lara, she deserves it
and she’ll wear the jersey well.”
In
the Junior event, ten women took to the line, and it was joy unbridled for
Ennis rider Ella Doherty who screamed with surprised delight as she took the
victory in a sprint.
Ella
(Greenmount CA) beat Caoimhe O’Brien (Weston Expert Homes/Torelli/Assure) and
Ellia Tutty (Dungarvan CC) who took bronze.
She
said: “We were coming up the hill at the end and we were together. I am not a
sprinter but I just put the head down, I just told myself “I can do this”.
“I’m so, so delighted, thanks to my coaches, they were just so supportive for the whole year. I really can’t believe it.”
Events sponsors included G4S, Shannon Transport, Darach McCarthy & Co Solicitors, Blu Lift and Kinetica Sports.
Senior & Masters Women
Position | First Name | Last Name | Club | Time | ||
1 | Lara | Gillespie | UCD Cycling Club | 2.14.28 | ||
2 | Eve | Mc Crystal | STRATA3/VeloRevolution Racing Team | st | Master 1st | TEAM |
3 | Ellen | Mc Dermott | Team Boompods | 2.14.30 | ||
4 | Mia | Griffin | ILLI-Bikes Cycling Team | 2.14.31 | ||
5 | Nikki | Taggart | Arcane Cycling Team | 2.14.32 | ||
6 | Grace | Young | STRATA3/VeloRevolution Racing Team | st | Master 2nd | TEAM |
7 | Alice | Sharpe | Ciclotel | st | ||
8 | Megan | Armitage | Wolftrap Cycling Club | 2.14.34 | ||
9 | Becky | Woods | STRATA3/VeloRevolution Racing Team | st | TEAM | |
10 | Fiona | Mangan | Greenmount CA | st | ||
11 | Emma | Smith | Deeside Thistle | st | ||
12 | Hilary | Hughes | Westport Covey Wheelers Cycling Club | st | ||
13 | Maeve | Gallagher | Castlebar Cycling Club | st | ||
14 | Sharon | Bird | Ballymena Road Club | st | Master 3rd | |
15 | Eileen | Burns | Ballymena Road Club | 2.14.37 | ||
16 | Laura | Campbell | Ballymena Road Club | st | ||
17 | Kelly | Murphy | Storey Racing | st | ||
18 | Jemma | Speers | North Down CC | 2.14.41 | ||
19 | Jennifer | Neenan | VIB-Natural Greatness | 2.15.56 | ||
20 | Shannon | Kelly | Un-Attached Leinster | 2.17.01 | ||
21 | Yvonne | Doran | Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club | 2.17.07 | ||
22 | Jennifer | Bates | Weston Homes-Torelli-Assure | 2.17.52 | ||
23 | Clodagh | Ní Ghallchóir | Team Dan Morrissey - McCarthy Insurance Group - Pactimo | 2.18.04 | ||
Sally | Mc Hugh | UCD Cycling Club | DNS | |||
Maura | Claffey | UCD Cycling Club | DNS | |||
Emma | Porter | UCD Cycling Club | DNS | |||
Elizabeth | Kent | Arcane Cycling Team | DNF | |||
Angela | Hoare | Arcane Cycling Team | DNF | |||
Autumn | Collins | Weston Homes-Torelli-Assure | DNF | |||
Cleo | Harvey | Dublin Wheelers | DNF | |||
Emma | Desmond | Lucan Cycling Road Club | DNS | |||
Carthach | Mc Carthy | Quanta Scott Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club | DNF |
Junior Women
Position | First Name | Last Name | Club | Time |
1 | Ella | Doherty | Greenmount CA | 1.53.41 |
2 | Caoimhe | O Brien | Weston Homes-Torelli-Assure | 1.53.41 |
3 | Elia | Tutty | Dungarvan CC | 1.53.44 |
4 | Lucy | O Donnell | Velo Performance | 1.53.43 |
5 | Ciara | Kelly | North Pole Cycling Club | 1.53.49 |
6 | Maria | Mc Allister | TC Racing | 1.54.40 |
7 | Faith | Hilliard | TC Racing | 1.53.40 |
Amy | Kinsella | TC Racing | DNF | |
Katie | Neill | TC Racing | DNF | |
Caoimhe | May | Quanta Scott Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club | DNF |