|
|
|
Last Updated: 2 Apr 2018 - 8:45:17 PM |
IRISH ROAD CHAMPIONSHIPS - Women's Race Pictures
By Stephen McMahon, Pictures and Words.
29 Jun 2008,
|
Email this article
|
 |
| 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. |
 |
| Defending champion Siobhan Dervan (Fenix) was at the head of affairs from the start. |
 |
| The peloton were still together after a cautious first lap. Here, Roisin Kennedy (Stagg Cycles L.C.R.C.) sets the pace. |
 |
| Heather Wilson (Maryland Wheelers) forces the pace as the true contenders go clear on the third ascent of the climb. |
 |
| The leading group (L-R): Fiona Meade (St. Finbar’s Cycling Club), Heather Wilson (Maryland Wheelers), Louise Moriarty (Swift Racing/UCD), Siobhan Dervan (Fenix). |
 |
| A tailwind assisted the progress of the leading group as they rolled through the finish line to begin lap five. |
 |
| Siobhan Dervan’s strength and condition was very obvious any time the road went up. |
 |
| Fiona Meade (St. Finbar’s Cycling Club) fueling up. |
 |
| Heather Wilson (Maryland Wheelers), looking cool, calm and collected. |
 |
| Louise Moriarty (Swift Racing/UCD) gets to grips with an energy gel. |
 |
| 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. |
 |
| 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. |
 |
| The quartet has become a trio: Dervan, Moriarty and Wilson. |
 |
| Dervan’s efforts on the second from last ascent of the climb saw Wilson distanced and Moriarty tested |
 |
| The elastic begins to stretch… |
 |
| …and eventually snaps as Siobhan Dervan rides away from Louise Moriarty with a lap and a half remaining. |
 |
| Heather Wilson and Louise Moriarty pool their resources in pursuit of Siobhan Dervan as they approach the bell. |
 |
| 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. |
 |
| Siobhan Dervan (Fenix) takes her fourth National Road Race Championship victory. |
 |
| Louise Moriarty (Swift Racing/UCD) outsprints Heather Wilson (Maryland Wheelers) to take second, 2 minutes and 24 seconds behind the winner. |
 |
| Fiona Meade (St. Finbar’s Cycling Club) rode exceptionally well to finish a well deserved fourth. |
 |
| Congratulations and commiserations: Siobhan Dervan and Heather Wilson in conversation after the finish. |
 |
| Winner of the Junior Road Race title, Elaine Cawley (Castlebar). |
 |
| 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). |
 |
| 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). |
|
|
|
|
