The Women's Commission were delighted with the large turnout
|
Marie Reilly and her helpers from Bohermeen CC got the Zoo Hair Salon / Velotex National League off to a fabulous start last Sunday. The Women's Commission were delighted with the 17-strong field of women who turned up to support
the event, and it was an extra bonus when Marie announced that the Club were prepared to hold a separate race for us, given the numbers of Cs and Ladies present.
Grace McNally shows off the new Swords gear
|
Adrienne McCarthy (left) travelled up from Limerick for the event
|
Having agreed the non-handicap group riders, we all set off together for four laps of the ten mile circuit.
One of the pre-race favourites, Orla Hendron gets going. SDCC and Stamullen also represented.
|
Looks like a split is about to form...
|
On the first lap, several attempts were made to split the group. By the second lap, a group of eight riders had broken clear, and established a good lead. These eight were Hendron, McCauley, Considine, Kennedy, Piner, Meehan, McCarthy and former National Champion, Geraldine Gill.
Geraldine Gill sets the pace
|
Sarah Piner and Valerie Considine lead the chasers
|
McCauley was temporarily dropped due to mechanical trouble, and Considine drifted off the bunch once or twice, but with only five miles remaining, both were safely back with the leaders, and well clear of the chasing group, which contained several Swords riders, and Aideen Collard.
Francine Meehan representing Laois CC in her first National League race
|
Valerie and Jenny McCauley chase down the leaders after some mechanical trouble
|
Coleen Foley surrounded by her teammates, Grace and Norah Daly
|
With about 2km to go, McCauley launched a massive attack and quickly opened a large gap. The combined efforts of Meehan, Kennedy and Gill slowly reeled her back - narrowly giving Gill enough time to catch and pass McCauley just
before the line.
Valerie and Jenny have rejoined the leaders
|
Adreinne's group are all racing hard
|
Hendron, who had done a lot of attacking throughout the race, finished in third place. Newcomer Francine Meehan (Laois CC) impressed everyone with her strength, and finished a fine fourth in the sprint, just ahead of Adrienne
McCarthy (Limerick CC) and Sarah Piner (Lakeside Wheelers).
Aideen Collard working hard with two of the Swords riders
|
Coming up to the finish now after 40 miles...
|
Jenny's final attack is about to be brought back
|
As non-elite riders start the League with a points handicap this year, it is Meehan who will wear the National League leaders' jersey going into the next round. Round 2 takes place this Sunday in Balbriggan, and new league riders are, as ever, very welcome.
Geraldine and the bunch are gaining all the time...
|
Geraldine Gill edges ahead of Jenny McCauley
|
Round 1 Results:
1 Geraldine Gill, Labello (France)
2 Jenny McCauley, Bray Whlrs
3 Orla Hendron, Dundrum TC Orwell
4 Frances Meehan, Laois CC
5 Adrienne McCarthy, Limerick CC
6 Sarah Piner, Lakeside CC
Geraldine is safe over the line with 11 league points...
|
Overall Points Table after Round 1:
1. Francine Meehan (Laois CC) - 23 points
2. Sarah Piner (Lakeside Wheelers) - 21 points
3. Aideen Collard (Orwell Dundrum TC) - 20 points
3. Valerie Considine (Usher IRC) - 20 points
3. Norah Daly (McNally Swords CC) - 20 points
3. Coleen Foley (McNally Swords CC) - 20 points
3. Lisa Halton (South Dublin CC) - 20 points
3. Alison Kane (South Dublin CC) - 20 points
3. Bernie McNally (McNally Swords CC) - 20 points
3. Grace McNally (McNally Swords CC) - 20 points
3. Jacqueline O'Hagan (U/A) - 20 points
3. Nicola Veale (Stamullen M Donnelly) - 20 points
13. Geraldine Gill (Labello (France)) - 11 points
14. Jenny McCauley (Bray Wheelers) - 10 points
15. Orla Hendron (Orwell Dundrum TC) - 9 points
16. Adrienne McCarthy (Limerick CC) - 7 points
17. Róisín Kennedy (Staggs Lucan CRC) - 5 points
... Jenny takes second place, with Orla in third
|
Francine beats the rest for fourth place, and first place overall going into Round 2.
|
------------------------------------------------------------
Women's National League: Details
By Orla Hendron, Women's Commission
The 2007 Zoo Hair Salon and Velotex Women's National League kicks off in Bohermeen this Sunday, March 25th.
The Women's Commission are very pleased to announce the continued sponsorship by Shay Dempsey of The Zoo Hair Salon in Exchequer Street, Dublin 2 this year. We are also delighted to welcome on board Justin McGee of Velotex Sportswear Ireland - Velotex will supply the race leaders' Jerseys. It is great news for women's racing that these two companies are prepared to get behind us in our Goal to increase the participation of women racing in this country.
This year we have decided to change the format of our National League races - rather than having our own separate race, we are going to race with the men, but give every woman their own handicap in points. This will mean that although we may all start together, non-elite women will have a significant points advantage over the elite women, giving everyone an incentive to compete at this level. Where race organisers are in a position to give the non-elite women a slight head start on the road, this will also be done, further encouraging everyone to race hard.
The Waller Cup in Bohermeen will be the first race of the new-look 2007 National League. This is a perfect course for women to make the step up, a flat 10 mile loop course so you are never too far from home.
A full list of the National League races is published in the Cycling Ireland handbook and in the Calendar section on www.irishcycling.com.
In an effort to make the handicapping as fair as possible, we would ask that you would indicate your intention to ride the league to either orlahendron(at)hotmail.com, roisin.kennedy(at)mymeteor.ie or text 087-7773150.
Once again we would like to extend a big thank you to our Sponsors: The Zoo Hair Salon and Velotex Sportswear Ireland
--------------------
OTHER WOMEN'S NEWS IN BRIEF
Women's Commission EGM:
Following the recent EGM of Cycling Ireland, an EGM for the Women's Commission will be held in the City West Hotel, Dublin on Saturday 14th April at 3.15pm.
International Road Racing Plans:
Contact a member of the Women's Commission if you would like to be considered for an Irish Women's Squad this season. Six International Road Racing events are planned for this squad. Interested riders should ride the National League races.
National League Round 1:
Race starts at 1pm on Sunday 25th March (not 11am)! All women welcome. A lot of Boot Inn riders from 2006 have confirmed that they will be trying the National League for the first time this year, and this is great to see. Come out and support each other. Contact Marie at 087-9458499 for more details on this race. More general and technical details on points etc. in the National League are available from roisin.kennedy@mymeteor.ie. Email this address to be kept informed of all news from the Women's Commission.