When the results of Rás na mBan were rechecked, Team Munster's Fiona Meade was a surprise big winner; seen here taking victory at the end of the stage 4 circuit race in Ballyalla (Photo: Lorraine O'Sullivan)
By Brian Canty
One of the stars of last week’s An Post Rás na mBan, Cork woman Fiona Meade is celebrating victory in the points classification as well as her third overall county rider prize in succession.
When the race concluded in Co Clare on Sunday, overall winner Tayler Wiles (DID Cycle 4 Life) was declared the points classification winner, after taking two stage wins and two runner up placings.
However, when the results from the penultimate stage on Saturday were rechecked, Meade was found to have done just enough to shade the American rider for the green jersey win.
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The results were revised and the Irish woman declared official winner.
It capped what was a fantastic week for her, in which she not only took a stage but scored two third placings and one fourth slot.
Meade will now turn her attention to Saturday’s rescheduled National Championships in Multyfarnham, Co Westmeath.
Meade on her way to a top 20 placing in the time trial stage last week; she ended the race second highest placed Irish woman overall, behind only defending champion Olivia Dillon of Team Ireland (Photo: Lorraine O'Sullivan)
Though the Cork-based physiotherapist agrees it’s late in the season for the race, she is hopeful of recovering in time.
She said while the fatal traffic accident that forced the postponement of the race back in June was a tragedy, it gave her something to aim for after last week’s stage race.
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“I was sick for two weeks before the nationals date in June and I was on antibiotics,” she said.
“I only finished them two days before the race. I rode a lap of the circuit the day before it was due to happen and I was in the small ring. I couldn’t even put it into the big ring.
“I just thought ‘what am I going to do tomorrow?’ I found it hard because some reports were tipping me to do well if I was sprinting. But I knew myself I wasn’t going well. So to get a second chance is great and I’m going to make the absolute most of it.”
Meade has had an eventful few months during which she has fallen ill a number of times, has had a hectic work schedule and also bought her first house.
“It’s probably the hardest year of work I’ve ever done since I qualified 10 years ago,” she said of her day job.
“There were a couple of months in the summer where I found it very busy and stressful and I thought ‘oh my God, this is isn’t good’. And I got sick five or six times during the year. So I wasn’t sure how I’d be coming into Rás na mBan.”
She said the biggest lesson from the season now drawing to a close was to give herself time to recover properly after falling ill.
“Recovery is so important, especially if you’re working full time. You have to take into account rest.”
In order to save money to buy her new home, she moved back in with her parents and said they had been hugely helpful.
“They were at home every evening cooking for me; fresh vegetables growing out in the garden. I couldn’t ask for a better setup to help me ride well. I’m very, very grateful and they really helped me to get here and win this prize, they’re fabulous.”
She dedicated her rider last week to her oldest brother Brian, who sadly passed away 10 years ago.
“It was one of the reasons I started cycling; to do him proud and do my parents proud and I feel I’ve justified it and I want to dedicate it to Brian.”
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