The last evening of Spring was a pleasant one for round 4 of the Wheelworx Orwell Ladies Crit League, with some dramatic racing across both categories. Bray Wheeler's Michelle Carter and Sandra Fitzgerald of Garda CC took victory on the line.
Fitzgerald had previously held the leader's jersey for division A, but lost it after a mix-up saw her fail to make it to round 3 in Corkagh Park. Newcomer Martina Cronin from Carrick took over at the top of the table in her stead. Sarah Pratt (Bray Wheelers) held the overall title in the B class, with a lead of 8 points ahead of her clubmate Carter.
There was some super racing in the B race, with Jenny Neenan (Usher IRC) putting in an epic effort and riding almost the entire race solo out front. She was only caught in the last few hundred meters, and held on to take sixth across the chalk. Carter and Pratt repeated Bray Wheelers' 1-2 at the top of the table at the line, with Carter sprinting home in first.
The duo were the driving force behind the chase in the last couple of laps, and have now increased their lead over the rest of the B riders. Pratt holds onto the leader's jersey, though Carter has narrowed the gap to only three points. Rounding out the top three on the night and in the table is Catherine McAteer (Garda CC), a further 16 points behind Carter.
B Race Top 10 results
1 Michelle Carter, Bray
2 Sarah Pratt, Bray
3 Catherine McAteer, Garda
4 Nicole Evans, SERC
5 Finola Lawlor, Adamstown
6 Jenny Neenan, Usher IRC
7 Celeste Marin, Orwell
8 Sarah Dennedy, Dunboyne CC
9 Rebecca Heany, SERC
10 Grainne Coghlan, Orwell
Division B League Table (after Round 4)
1 Sarah Pratt, Bray, 100 points
2 Michelle Carter, Bray, 97
3 Catherine McAteer, Garda, 81
4 Finola Lawlor, Adamstown, 80
5 Celeste Marin, Orwell, 66
6 Nicole Evans, SERC, 65
7 Sarah Dennedy, Dunboyne CC, 62
8 Grainne Coghlan, Orwell, 60
9 Martina O'Malley, Lucan, 50
10 Ursula Noone, Orwell, 47
At the start line
Neenan pushing it hard solo
Carter taking the win ahead of Pratt and McAteer
The A race was no less dramatic than the B race had been, with Muirna Walsh (Lakeside) and Noreen Garahy (Wolftrap) breaking clear of the limit group early on and holding onto a gap of only 15 seconds for the final five laps.
It wasn't until the final lap that a chasing group of 4 got across to them, and when it came down to the sprint returning champion Sandra Fitzgerald won by a comfortable margin. Behind her Muirna Walsh was rewarded for her efforts when just held off Trish Buckley for 2nd place, with Noreen Garahy hanging in for 4th.
The Division A league table is looking a whole lot more undecided than Division B, with only 7 points separating the top three after tonight, and probably 10 riders altogether still in contention for the win. Martina Cronin deservedly hangs on to the jersey for another week after another gritty performance, but Sandra Fitzgerald is most definitely back in the frame.
A Race Top 10 results
1 Sandra Fitzgerald, Garda
2 Muirna Walsh, Lakeside
3 Trish Buckley, Orwell
4 Noreen Garahy, Wolftrap
5 Sandra Telford, Orwell
6 Martina Cronin, Carrick
7 Orla Hendron, Orwell
8 Susie Mitchell, Sundrive
9 Isabel Cogan, Orwell
10 Rachel Kaye-Mellor, Orwell
Division A League Table (after Round 4)
1 Martina Cronin, Carrick, 103 points
2 Muirna Walsh, Lakeside, 97
3 Sandra Fitzgerald, Garda, 96
4 Monica Marconi, Orwell, 91
5 Trish Buckley, Orwell, 87
6 Orla Hendron, Orwell, 82
7 Noreen Garahy, Wolftrap, 80
8 Rachael Kaye-Mellor, Orwell, 78
9 Isabel Cogan, Orwell, 77
10 Charlotte MacDonald, Orwell, 75
Cronin pulling on the leader's jersey
Walsh and Garahy in the break
A large Orwell contingent
Fitzgerald takes the win
As always, many thanks to Wheelworx for sponsoring the league, and to all who helped out at the races. Thanks also to Brendan Culleton for consistently providing top quality photographs, all the above are courtesy of him.
Round 5 of the league takes place in Corkagh Park next Tuesday, 7th May. Sign on at 6.30pm for 7pm start. For further information, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or telephone Aideen Collard on 087 4179967. All female riders still welcome and bring along your friends too!
The sixth and final round will return to Sandyford on the 14th May, and will be followed at 8.30pm by a prize giving and social in the Blue Light pub. This will also serve as a fundraiser for the Orwell Rás team, entry is €10 a head. The Rás lads will be providing entertainment, but are keeping details under wraps for now!
Finally, good luck to the Irish riders heading to the UK for the Bedford 3 Day this weekend! Between the Leinster squad and the DID ladies' team, the Irish will be well represented. Best of luck!
