Wicklow League Round 3, Ashford, Co. Wicklow, 16th June 2009

Junior Ailbhe Ivory (Bray Wheelers) emerged victorious in Round 3 of the Wicklow League in an exciting finish which saw many of the handicapped groups coming together just before the end. With only 12 seconds splitting the top 14, Ailbhe displayed the sprinting skills she has honed on the track to power in clear of the field, winning in a time of 37:19.

A great turn-out meant good sized groups on the road, split into 5 different ability levels. Limit rode extremely well together to hold off the chasing groups until the penultimate lap.

Scratch group were depleted with a couple of absentees, making for an eyeball-out chase for Roisin Kennedy and Jenny McCauley who came tantalisingly close to catching the larger group in front.

This Semi-Scratch group mopped up all riders ahead of them by the last kilometer, setting the scene for a sprint finish. Ailbhe, however, caught the others on the hop by attacking early with 500m to go, and her track speed saw her a clear winner on the bunch.

Wicklow League Round 3 finish (photo courtesy of Brendan Culleton)

In an exciting sprint for the lesser placings, Deborah Meghan just edged out Eithne Dalby for 2nd place, with Leah Dempsey coming 4th in the close group sprint.

The youth category was very impressive again this week, with Rachel just edging out Kayleigh in the midst of the senior group sprint, with Caoimhe finishing less than 20 seconds behind; all the youth once again showing their class, being competitive in the race with the senior riders.

Special mention of thanks to Damian Hackett, owner of Freewheel Cycling Bike shop recently opened in Arnotts in the city centre. Damian has kindly offered prizes for the league, so if you need any cycling gear please pop in and show your appreciation for the support he is giving to womens cycling.

Many thanks to members of the Bray and Sorrento clubs for once again turning out in numbers to enable the race to be run safely, and to Danny O'Shea, John O'Sullivan and Brendan Culleton for their invaluable help in doing timing and placings.

Brendans photos of the league can be found on his site here.

Full overall standings at the mid-point of the league will be up in the next day or so on www.womenscycling.ie.

Due to the closeness of the sprinters the following results are provisional until we get photo evidence of some of the placings. The first 6 places, however, which make the difference in the points are not in doubt. Full overall points standings so far will follow shortly.


Provisional results

1. Ailbhe Ivory Bray Wheelers 37:19
2. Deborah Meghan Wicklow Tri 37:21
3. Eithne Dalby Bray Wheelers s/t
4. Leah Dempsey Orwell s/t
5. Siobhain Duggan Bray Wheelers s/t
6. Fionnula ni Bhradaigh Bray Wheelers s/t
7. Rachel Kaye Mellor Orwell s/t U12
8. Eileen O’Sullivan Sorrento s/t
9. Kayleigh Gibbons Lucan CRC s/t U14
10. Fiona Duggan Bray Wheelers s/t
11. Linda M Haug Sorrento s/t
12. Catherine Devitt U/A 37:31
13. Rose Leith Sorrento s/t
14. Joanne O’Shea Sorrento s/t
15. Caoimhe Ivory Bray Wheeers 37:45 U14
16. Julia Phillips Orwell s/t
17. Lynne Redmond Wicklow Tri s/t
18. Deirdre Hough Wicklow Tri s/t
19. Jane Martin Bray Wheelers s/t
20. Roisin Kennedy Lucan CRC 39:20
21. Jenny McCauley Bray Wheelers s/t
22. Ieva Japertaite Winning Solutions 39:25
23. Maria Belton Wicklow Tri s/t
24. Muriel Haire Bray Wheelers 39:48
25. Luarena Murphy Bray Wheelers 44:30
26. Suzanne Doyle U/A 46:10

Why not visit the women's cycling forum and tell us what you think of the racing? Visit it here and let us know what's on your mind!