Women's Commission Race Report

Bishopscourt - Saturday 29th June

Time Trial

A Glorious Sunny morning close to the County Down greeted riders on Saturday morning creating perfect racing conditions. Our first event on the day was a 1 lap TT.

Velo Performance Rider Ciara Kelly on her first outing of 2021 was to set the fastest time blasting round the circuit in 5mins 12 Seconds, she was to have 12 seconds from newbie Karen Baines from TVR with Kilinchy's Claire Richardson just one second behind in third. Emily Roberts the second TVR was our best unplaced Master.

Results

1st - Ciara Kelly Velo Performance - 5.12

2nd - Karen Baines - TVR - 5.22

3rd - Claire Richardson - Killinchy CC - 5.23

4th - Helen Mc Parland - Phoenix CC - 5.24

5th - Keela Mac hale - Arcane - 5.36

6th - Clodagh Allen - Clonard CC - 5.39

7th Emily Roberts -TVR- 5.42 - Best Unplaced Master

8th Pamela Ayre - Titanic Quarter - 5.46

9th Therese Zwahlen - Phoenix CC - 5.49

10th Linda Poots - Dromore CC - 5.53

Following our TT Julie Rea hosted another training session with a focus on cornering and an introduction to Team Time Trial in preparation for next Saturday.

After some fantastic youth racing the women were back on the track again this time for a 50 minute plus two laps race. This week we had two groups on the track. The first group away was as follows:

Rachel Mc Bride (Arcane), Linda Poots (Dromore) Ruth Fields, Ruth Johnston and Miranda Mitchell (Bann Valley) Monica Savage, Emily Roberts (TVR) Pamela Ayre (Titanic) and Edie Carroll (Unattached) - This group was to have a 5minute lead - (Just short of 1 lap).

The scratch group included previous winner Erin Mc Connell (Ards), TT Winner Ciara Kelly, Claire Richardson (Killinchy) and Helen Mc Parland (Phoenix) - both upgraded after race 1. Emma Smith (Bann Valley) Clodagh Allen (Clonard) Keela Mac Hale (Arcane), Ellie Mc Ardle (Square Wheelers) and TT Runner Up Karen Baines (TVR) completing a strong group.

In the early laps a lack of cohesion in the lead group saw gaps reduced by around 30 seconds per lap with Mc Connell, Mc Ardle and Kelly particularly to the fore. Mid race the picture was to change with four riders in the lead group, the two Ruth's from Bann Valley, Emily Roberts from TVR and young Carroll (Unattached) starting to work very well together and through laps 6 and 7 they actually increased the lead by 15 seconds. As dropped riders were caught be the second group the pace was increased again and the gap began to close. As the group crossed the line with two laps to go our "fab four" still held 40 second advantage and it looked like a surprise was on the cards. At the bell, this gap had reduced to a perilous 20 seconds.

On the back straight the "Fab Four" were eventually caught setting us up for another bunch finish. As in our last race Erin Mc Connell set sail for home at the top of the hill and just like the last race wasn't to be caught - Ciara Kelly was to hang on for second from a fast finishing Ellie Mc Ardle with Emily Roberts one of the "fab four" finishing strong for fourth place and best Unplaced Master.

For the second week in a row we had a brilliant race. In particular Mc Parland and Richardson having been upgraded were excellent in the chase group with Smith from Bann Valley, Allen from Clonard RC and Baines from TVR all contributing to an excellent chase. The stars today were our "Fab Four" who so nearly kept the chasers at bay.

Results

1st Erin Mc Connell - Ards CC

2nd Ciara Kelly - Velo Performance

3rd Ellie Mc Ardle - Square Wheelers

4th Emily Roberts - TVR

5th Claire Richardson - Killinchy

6th Emma Smith - Bann Valley

7th Karen Baines - TVR

8th Helen Mc Parland - Phoenix CC

9th Edie Carroll - Unattached Ulster

10th Clodagh Allen - Clonard RC

Well done to all of the women who raced.

The Women’s Commission want to thank Martin Molloy from Dunloy CC for all his help as time keeper and finish line. We also want to thank Peter Brown and Gerry Heverin from our Youth Commission for facilitating our participation in these events and finally the one and only Dany Bondeel for his music and commentary and in general for all he does for Women’s Racing.

We are back at Bishopscourt this Saturday 5th June - more details