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Last Updated: Aug 26th, 2008 - 16:05:49 |
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| The Women’s Road Race was hosted by St. Finbar’s Cycling Club and took place over 8 laps of a 10.4 kilometre circuit on the outskirts of Glounthaune, County Cork. |
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| Defending champion Siobhan Dervan (Fenix) was at the head of affairs from the start. |
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| The peloton were still together after a cautious first lap. Here, Roisin Kennedy (Stagg Cycles L.C.R.C.) sets the pace. |
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| Heather Wilson (Maryland Wheelers) forces the pace as the true contenders go clear on the third ascent of the climb. |
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| The leading group (L-R): Fiona Meade (St. Finbar’s Cycling Club), Heather Wilson (Maryland Wheelers), Louise Moriarty (Swift Racing/UCD), Siobhan Dervan (Fenix). |
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| A tailwind assisted the progress of the leading group as they rolled through the finish line to begin lap five. |
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| Siobhan Dervan’s strength and condition was very obvious any time the road went up. |
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| Fiona Meade (St. Finbar’s Cycling Club) fueling up. |
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| Heather Wilson (Maryland Wheelers), looking cool, calm and collected. |
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| Louise Moriarty (Swift Racing/UCD) gets to grips with an energy gel. |
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| Defending champion Siobhan Dervan (Fenix), was frustrated at being left to set the pace and, after negotiations with her breakaway companions, chose to let her legs do the talking. |
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| A glance over her shoulder brings Siobhan Dervan (Fenix) up to speed on the current state of play: Fiona Meade riding at her own pace, Heather Wilson very close to her limit and Louise Moriarty also under pressure. |
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| The quartet has become a trio: Dervan, Moriarty and Wilson. |
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| Dervan’s efforts on the second from last ascent of the climb saw Wilson distanced and Moriarty tested |
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| The elastic begins to stretch… |
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| …and eventually snaps as Siobhan Dervan rides away from Louise Moriarty with a lap and a half remaining. |
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| Heather Wilson and Louise Moriarty pool their resources in pursuit of Siobhan Dervan as they approach the bell. |
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| With a 58 second advantage going on to the final lap, it was looking likely that Dervan’s courageous move was going to pay dividends. |
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| Siobhan Dervan (Fenix) takes her fourth National Road Race Championship victory. |
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| Louise Moriarty (Swift Racing/UCD) outsprints Heather Wilson (Maryland Wheelers) to take second, 2 minutes and 24 seconds behind the winner. |
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| Fiona Meade (St. Finbar’s Cycling Club) rode exceptionally well to finish a well deserved fourth. |
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| Congratulations and commiserations: Siobhan Dervan and Heather Wilson in conversation after the finish. |
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| Winner of the Junior Road Race title, Elaine Cawley (Castlebar). |
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| The Women’s Road Race podium (L-R): silver went to Louise Moriarty (Swift Racing/UCD), gold to Siobhan Dervan (Fenix) and bronze to Heather Wilson (Maryland Wheelers). |
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| The Women’s TT podium (L-R): silver went to Heather Wilson (Maryland Wheelers), gold to Olivia Dillon (Touchstone Cycling) and bronze to Louise Moriarty (Swift Racing/UCD). |
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IMAGES COPYRIGHT: Any images included in this article
remain the property of the photographer, by whom all rights are retained.
Use of images for electronic or print purposes is may be possible with the
express, written permission of the photographer.
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Photographs
are © Copyright Stephen McMahon 2008 - Email:
st.mcmahon(at)gmail.com
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