Following the excitement of the Time Trial National Championships on Thursday evening, all eyes turned to the first of the Road Race National Championships taking place in Athea, Co. Limerick today.
First off and tackling a 108km track was the Junior Men Road Race, this was followed by the Elite Women Road Race (including Under 23), who faced 118km.
Elite Women
Following her victory in the Time Trial National Championships on Thursday, Limerick native Fiona Mangan made it two from two this afternoon.
The Cynisca Cycling rider made a well-timed attack to clench the win ahead of Grace Reynolds, for Brother UK – On Form, who had broken away from the front group earlier in the race. Gillespie had to settle for third.
Reynolds’ lead first came under pressure when Megan Armitage led an attack with 37km to go which closed the gap. Reynolds kept up the pace and looked set to secure victory with 5km to.
Mangan went alone and slowly bridged the gap to Reynolds. A sprint after the final bend saw Mangan edge ahead of Reynolds claim the National Champions title.
Gillespie and Caoimh O’Brien fought it out for third, with the podium finish going to Gillespie. O’Brien won the Under 23 title.
Mangan credited her extensive preparation for helping her to secure her second national title this week, having won the Elite Women Time Trial on Thursday. She said, “To be honest I’m still a bit overwhelmed I knew I had the legs going into it and I really did study the course. Like I was saying at the Time Trial, I came out here last week and did a good few runs of it. It just gives you that confidence then during the race.”
Claiming the Under 23 National Title, O’Brien was delighted to come home with the jersey but already has her sights set on a podium finish next year. “I’m happy to win it but I’m always aiming for higher so I’m kicking myself a little bit that I didn’t react when Fiona went but it’s so hard to know what moves to go with and what moves not to. I’m in my last year Under 23 so it’s really nice to get this jersey.”
Junior Men
The Junior Men Road Race set off at a blistering pace. In the end Patrick Casey, riding for Team GRENKE – Auto Eder, had a solo finish, following a top class attack in the final stages, to claim victory – something that’s been on his radar to do for the last couple years.
AS Villemur’s Sam Coleman was influential throughout the race and was never far from the front but had to settle for second place. Killian O’Brien, Veleka Team, completed the podium.
