Cycling Ireland’s first ever female rider of the month award has unsurprisingly gone to Lara Gillespie. And the male rider of the month and volunteer award winners have also been revealed (Photo: Toby Watson)
Cycling Ireland awards for Lara Gillespie, Darnell Moore, Andy Layhe
Lara Gillespie and Darnell Moore have been award Cycling Ireland’s first rider of the month awards.
And national cyclocross coordinator Andy Layhe is January’s volunteer of the month.
Moore and Gillespie claimed the male and female ride of the month awards for January having won the Irish cyclocross championships.
Darnell Moore added the elite cyclocross title to the national hill climb title he took late last season.
And Lara Gillespie won the elite women’s cyclocross championships despite be aged just 16 years.
She then went on to ride very well in the U23 race at the Worlds – placing 21st - though she only just progressed from U16 to junior.
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For his part, the biggest Irish team ever went to the cyclocross Worlds under Layhe’s stewardship.
Understandably Gillespie said she was delighted to win the monthly award.
“I was surprised with my race at the Nationals. I didn’t have a good lead up into them.
“And I went in thinking I’ll just do my best, I’m a first-year junior. I had a good day.
“At the Worlds I started at the back, so didn’t feel any pressure on me. I decided to try to go as hard as I could, and see how it went.
“I have a lot more years in this category. It was a tough, tough course but I loved every moment of it, and I loved being around all those famous cyclists too.”
Darnell Moore wins the elite title at the championships last month (Photo: Sean Rowe)
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Moore, who has incredibly been overlooked for U23 international selection, was equally enthused.
“It’s a new thing in Cycling Ireland, so it’s nice to get the first award. And it’s nice to get the recognition,” he said.
“I was so, so pleased with my performance at the Nationals. Everything went perfect; the bikes, pit crew, legs – the lot!
“It’s one of the best performances I’ve had, I suppose. The support I had on the course was just class.”
Layhe’s award is a clear recognition of his contribution to the development of Irish cyclocross.
“I’m very surprised and thank you to everyone who voted for me,” he said. “I accept this award on behalf of everyone who helped develop this system.
"At the Worlds it wasn’t just myself. This is a thanks to the whole team of staff – and to the riders themselves.”
“January was a bit stressful, but it was worthwhile in the end. We started the cyclocross development plan this time last year.
“A lot goes into these things – we introduced a few new things. It’s great to be part of the set up – we have a good crop of riders coming through.
“And it is great for the younger ones having the likes of Lara to look up to and seeing what they can aspire to.”
New Cycling Ireland awards
Under a new system, Cycling Ireland have launched monthly awards.
In addition to the male and female riders of the month award there is also a volunteer category.
Furthermore, the winners of each monthly award will be on the short list for the annual Cycling Ireland award in their category at the end of the year.
Members of the federation now have the opportunity every month to nominate their ‘rider of the month’ – separate awards for male and female – and their ‘volunteer of the month’.
The nominations, and reasons for them, can be lodged with Cycling Ireland online every month.
And then a “selection panel” with assess the nominations and pick a winner each month.
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