Lara Gillespie, Conor Dunne scoop top Cycling Ireland awards

Rising Star: She may be just 17 years old but Lara Gillespie is already hot property in the cycling game. She receives her female rider of 2018 award from PJ Nolan.

 

Lara Gillespie has been crowned female rider of the year and Conor Dunne the male rider of 2018 at the Cycling Ireland Annual Awards.

The honours were presented at the event in the Crowne Plaza in Blanchardstown, west Dublin, on Saturday night.

There were 14 award winners in total, with prizes for the events, volunteer and club of the year as well as special achievement awards.

But in the votes, by Cycling Ireland members, for the best riders of the year; first-year junior Gillespie and pro rider Dunne were most popular.

Gillespie is one of the hottest names in Irish cycling at present, claiming a string of titles this year.

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She won the national elite cyclocross crown and the Irish junior road race title, among many wins this year.

But it was on the international stage that she really made her mark; claiming gold and silver at the European Track Championships.

Gillespie is the junior European points race champion and she also claimed silver in the individual pursuit.

 

Conor Dunne receives his 'rider of the year' award from PJ Nolan. And Barry Monaghan is presented with his coach of the year award from Jack Watson, who won a lifetime achievement award.

 

For Conor Dunne, 2018 was a different season. At the end of it he has gained just as much admiration from the cycling community as female winner Gillespie..

Riding in his second year for Aqua Blue Sport, Dunne was a constant on the attack in major pro races.

In July his attacking paid off when he rode away to win the elite national road race title in Sligo.

Unfortunately, his team then folded in August. But showing great resolve he took off on a NoGoTour with team mate Larry Warbasse.

They were supposed to be riding the Tour of Britain. But with their team ceasing operations immediately, they did not race there.

So they filled their time instead with a bike-packing tour in Europe. Dunne then went on to ride the road Worlds for Ireland, making the breakaway in the elite men’s race.

And in recent weeks it has emerged he has secured a place with the Israel Cycling Academy, a ProContinental outfit, for next year.

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As well as taking the female rider of the year gong, 17-year-old Gillespie was also honoured with a high performance Special Achievement Award; one of six presented on the night.

It proved to be a terrific evening for Gillespie’s club Scott-Orwell as it also won club of the year. And one of its stalwarts, Genevieve Sheridan, won volunteer of the year.

Sheridan’s contribution to Irish cycling does not bring with it the honours and victories our best riders secure.

But her recognition at this year’s ceremony was not before time. She is genuinely one of the unsung heroes of Irish cycling and was one of the most deserving winners.

Sam Bennett clinched the international performance of the year award for his ride in the Giro. He won three stages in that race back in May.

Aside from Gillespie, ‘special achievement’ awards were also presented to mountain bike rider Leah Maunsell.

She is ranked sixth in the U21 Global Enduro World Series; a remarkable achievement perhaps not fully appreciated at home.

Another man whose ability and achievements are not celebrated enough is Greg Callaghan, though he also claimed a special achievement award.

Callaghan gained his third international victory at the Enduro Winter Trophy in Italy in February.

Showing the strength in depth in the group of riders being celebrated at this year’s event, three other special achievement award winners are reigning world champions.

Indeed, paracycling’s golden girls Katie George Dunlevy and Eve McCrystal are double world champions and Paralympic champions.

Robin Seymour won the MTB world masters title again this year and was presented with a special achievement award.

Cycling Ireland’s retiring secretary Jack Watson was also presented with an award; for lifetime achievement.

Watson was instrumental in the creation of Cycling Ireland. He has worked for the sport for more than 50 years, directly taking roles in national administration since 1969.

 

 

 

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