A blustery night in Corkagh Park where the threat of rain was hanging in the air meant numbers were slightly down in the B race but despite this a cracking night of racing was dished up!
THE B RACE:
Newcomer to racing Abby Burke quickly made her mark on the B race. Marijke Beltman may have regretted taking Abby on some introductory laps and talking her through the twists and turns of Corkagh Park in the warm up!
not even the rain could stop Abby Burke!
Starting with the handicap group Abby rode away after half a lap and showed amazing strength to stay away for the entire race to take the win. Sideline observers were convinced that the strong wind on the back straight might wear her down over the course of the 25 mins plus 3 laps but in fact Abby got stronger as the race went on and increased her gap on the chasing group.
While the winner was clear from early on the remaining podium positions went down the the final sprint again. Muirna Twomey showed excellent sprinting form powering up the finishing straight on the drops to take 2nd from Ciara Meagher and Marijke Beltman in 4th. Vicki Nicholson finished in 5th place
eyes firmly on Abby out front the chasing group fought to the end!
New to the league Doireann Killeen had also started with the handicapped group and was the only one able to stay with Abby Burke for a few laps, eventually she was caught by the chasing pack and managed to stay with time until only a few laps to go - eventually finishing in 6th position and taking the final points on offer.
B RACE RESULTS:
1. Abby Burke
2. Muirna Twomey
3. Ciara Meagher
4. Marijke Beltman
5. Vicki Nicholson
6. Doireann Killeen
THE A RACE:
A strong field in the A race saw the return of Cleo Harvey and a first night at the women's league for UCD newest siging Gabriele Glodenyte. Having ridden an amazing race at the Gorey 3 day over Easter Gabriele was definitely going to be one to watch!
No handicap group this week as the A race were happy to roll out together. Fresh off a flight from supporting at the World Triathlon Champs in Utah Annalise Murphy was content to let other do the work for a change and in the early stages of the race was spotted at the back chatting to other riders! The race rolled steadily for the first few laps and Danielle Travers found herself out front on a solo break until the group decided the race was on and she was reeled back in.
quality A field
The main attack of the night came from Jennifer Bates, Cleo Harvey and Gabriele Glodenyte and it tore the group apart. The three experienced riders timed it well and quickly opened up a nice gap. Behind Annalise brushed off the jet lag, found some energy and started a chase, while Kate Earlie showed some frustration at missing the decisive moment and lept into action from the back of the pack keen to get across to the front.
Cleo & Gabriele pushing the pace
Jennifer Bates battled hard to stay with Harvey and Glodenyte but eventually fell back and was caught by a fast moving Murphy. With only a lap to go many doubted if Annalise had a chance of catching the leading pair but in that last lap she caught and passed Jennifer and almost caught the leaders. Up front the final sprint was won by Cleo - a return to her winning ways in Corkagh Park. The battle for 5th and 6th was a tight one with Emma Smith of Navan looking like she might take it but the more experienced Kate Earlie timed her sprint and bike throw perfectly to pip Smith to the line.
Cleo takes the win!
A RACE RESULTS:
1. Cleo Harvey
2. Gabriele Glodenyte
3. Annalise Murphy
4. Jennifer Bates
5. Kate Earlie
6. Emma Smith
THE LEAGUE STANDINGS AFTER 4 ROUNDS:
A LEAGUE:
B LEAGUE
REMINDER: Next weeks race is on WEDNESDAY the 18th of May in Mondello. More details including start times will follow.
