UCI codes explained

Results and Reports from Ireland

Promoters wishing to submit results should send them to cyclingnews

Cycling Ireland’s women’s league #2

Batterstown, March 17, 2004

Rudd Wins Round Two

By Shane Stokes

Kate Rudd of the Orwell Dundrum Shopping Centre team scooped the second round of the Cycling Ireland Women’s league in Batterstown, outpacing Julie O’Hagan (Luton CC), Siobhan Jacob (Usher IRC), round one winner Karen Bothwell (Orwell) and Trudy Browne (Northern-Dave Kane) in their five-up sprint for the line. Castlebar CC’s Mary Brennan finished on her own several minutes later to take sixth place and the prize for best junior.

The 40.5 mile race took place on the same course as the men’s handicap event and saw a highly encouraging turnout, with 17 women signing on for the race. By the end of lap one this pack had begun to fragment, the stronger riders pushing ahead of the rest. Junior rider Grace McNally (McNally Swords) slipped back soon afterwards while Marie Reilly (Bohermeen) also lost her place up front due to a puncture, but the rest of the front group stayed clear all the way to the finish.

Bothwell and Jacobs were amongst the riders who tried to go clear on the third and final lap, but the non-selective course and tactical nature of the race meant that a sprint finish was destined to settle the honours. Rudd duly turned on the speed, reaching the line comfortably ahead and so ensuring a second successive Orwell-Dundrum SC win in the series. Second placed Julie O’Hagan – who was fortunately able to get leave from her work as a teacher in Icknield high school in Luton to attend the race – was a strong second, while international rower Jacob took third. Bothwell had appeared strong during the race but had to settle for fourth on this occasion, one place ahead of Browne.

Brennan finished alone to take sixth, while the rest of the field determinedly continued on in ones and twos to complete the course.

‘It is great to get another Orwell win, after Karen’s victory in the first round’, said a happy Rudd. ‘Once we got clear in the break we were hoping to get an one-two but it didn’t quite work out that way; still, it is very good for the team.’

‘Things really broke up on the hill on the second lap. Orla (Hendron, Orwell team-mate) was unlucky to puncture early on and Marie (Reilly) also lost out in this way, losing her place in the break. Grace McNally had been there for a while and was riding strongly but was suffering a bit too.’

‘Myself and Karen were working well as a team. She has done very well so far this year; I’ve been concentrating on the track until now, so this was my first road race of the year. On paper myself and Julie were probably the fastest if it came to a sprint, so I knew I should have a good chance in the gallop. It worked out just right at the end.’

Results, 40.5 miles

1 Kate Rudd (Orwell Wheelers/Dundrum Shopping Centre)       1.48.03
2 Julie 0’Hagan (Luton CC)
3 Siobhan Jacobs (Usher Irish Road Club)
4 Karen Bothwell (Orwell Wheelers/Dundrum Shopping Centre)
5 Trudy Browne (Northern/Dave Kane Cycles)
6 Mary Brennan (Castlebar CC)                                  8.31

Local results 2004

January	February	March
April	May	June
July	August	September
October	November	December