Wicklow League Round 1, Ashford, Co. Wicklow, 2nd June 2009
The first of 6 league races took place today, with the opening round being a 10km Time Trial. On a glorious summer evening 20 ladies lined up to take part and race against the clock. The pace was fast and furious with every lady giving it everything they had - in a time trial every second counts and as it turned out, even every hundredth of a second, with some very close action indeed!
For some, this was their first race, and they mixed it up well with the more experienced club riders and racers. All the times will be taken into account when organising the handicapped starts for the rest of the league, so every rider regardless of level will have an equal chance of winning the Wicklow League Trophy.
On the night, the U14 lead was taken by Kayleigh Gibbons who took only 18:51 to complete the 10km. Rachel Kaye in her first 10km TT took the lead in the U12 competition, with an amazing time of 18:43, a time which gave her 12th place overall! Ailbhe Ivory takes the lead in the juniors, coming in with a time of 18:44.
Close competition in the senior race meant a tie for 5th place, with Gillian Peelo and Eithne Dalby matching pedal stroke for pedal stroke to do 16:58:71 - incredible! Will be interesting to see how the competition progresses with these two!
In 4th with a time of 16:25 was Siobhain Duggan, a woman to watch after her strong showing in her debut year last year.
3rd place went to a flying Sandra Fitzgerald, recording a time of 16:02 and keeping her well within striking distance in the fight for the league.
2nd place went to Jenny McCauley, beaten by less than a second by Roisin Kennedy who took the victory in a winning time of 15:34:28.
Well done to all the ladies who rode their socks off, next week will be a handicapped race and everyone has a chance for glory. For those who didn't make it this week, the league counts the best 5 results so there is still a chance to be in contention for the league. Many many thanks to all the marshals who came to help, and most especially to Danny and Geraldine O'Shea for their great timekeeping - the indispensable workers of womens cycling!
We were graced by the presence of Brendan Culleton who kindly came out to take photos for the league, when he puts them up the pictures can be found on his website here.
Results
1. Roisin Kennedy 15:34:28
2. Jenny McCauley 15:34:92
3. Sandra Fitzgerald 16:02
4. Siobhain Duggan 16:25
5. Gillian Peelo 16:58:71
6. Eithne Dalby s/t
7. Muriel Haire 17:03
8. Catherine Devitt 17:22
9. Fiona Duggan 17:31
10. Leah Dempsey 18:01
11. Eileen O'Sullivan 18:31
12. Rachel Kaye 18:43
13. Ailbhe Ivory 18:44
14. Kayleigh Gibbons 18:51
15. Lynne Redmond 19:12
16. Joanne O'Shea 19:14
17. Caoimhe Ivory 19:36
18. Marie Belton 20:04
19. Aisling Kennedy 20:11
20. Anne Hudson 20:34
