Ladies light it up in Laois

Anne Dalton was best of the Orwells at yesterday’s opening round of the Joe Daly’s Cycles Women’sNational League. Dalton was second across the line, narrowly missing out to the Garda CC’s Sandra Fitzgerald.

Anne Dalton was best of the Orwells at yesterday’s opening round of the Joe Daly’s Cycles Women’s National League. Dalton was second across the line, narrowly missing out to the Garda CC’s Sandra Fitzgerald.

Also in the points for Orwell were Orla Hendron who contested the bunch sprint and snatched 6th position and Ciara Kinch who secured 8th. They were ably assisted by a large Orwell squad who attempted to dominate the race, launching early attacks and trying to establish breaks from the gun.

Ossory CC became the latest club to host a round of the Joe Daly’s women’s National League and the race took place on a cold but sunny Easter Sunday in Rathdowney. The race attracted an impressive turnout as over 40 women travelled to Laois to brave the cold conditions.

Last year’s National League saw a rivalry develop between National Champion Mel Späth and previous Giro Donne rider Sara Ortiz. With both riders absent from this year’s league – Späth has landed a contract with US based Team Tibco and Ortiz has returned to her native Spain – the league was wide open for this year’s riders.

With the likes of Irish team riders Sandra Fitzgerald and Anne Dalton and expert time triallist Eve McCrystal on the starting line the calibre of racing was in no doubt. They were joined by Black Rose’s new signing Kate Rudd, track world champions Susie Mitchell and Orla Hendron, Irish Development squad rider Caroline Conway, ex National Champion Geraldine Gill and a sizeable Orwell squad looking to make their numbers count.

The race started fast with an attack coming immediately from Orwell duo of Patricia Buckley and Orla Hendron. The attacks continued from a determined Orwell squad. However it was Roisin Kennedy’s move which launched the decisive break. She bravely attacked across the draggy and exposed back section of the course and when she was joined by Fitzgerald, Dalton and McCrystal a powerful bunch was formed.

Many riders struggled on the brutal pace of the course’s drag and the group was whittled down. With this reduced bunch struggling to co-ordinate a chase the leaders increased their lead and soon had a minute and a half on the bunch.

On the line Fitzgerald went early, Dalton chased for second and Kennedy came home in the bronze. After a gruelling day Eve McCrystal was caught on the line and missed out on a placing, she took home the prime as proof of a hard day’s work. Aquablue’s Ciara Mangan and Sevensprings’ Monika Kotecka showed they are ones to watch with impressive 4th and 5th places respectively.

The next round of the league takes place on 21st April in Drogheda.

Results

1 Sandra Fitzgerald (Garda CC) 2 Anne Dalton (DTC Orwell Wheelers) 3 Roisin Kennedy (Adamstown CT) 4 Ciara Mangan (Team AquaBlue) 5 Monika Kotecka (Sevensprings CC) 6 Orla Hendron (DTC Orwell Wheelers) 7 Suzie Mitchell (Sundrive CC) 8 Ciara Kinch (DTC Orwell Wheelers)