Orla Hendron is one of the best-known administrators, coaches and riders on the Irish cycling scene and the respect from her peers is absolute. The Scott Orwell Wheelers was a hugely popular - and deserving - winner of the scratch race last weekend at the national championships (Photo courtesy of Arcane Cycling Team)
By Brian Canty
Orla Hendron caused a major shock last weekend when she became the oldest national champion on the track to win an elite title; the Orwell Wheelers rider capturing gold in the scratch race.
It was a brilliant race with a host of top names – including second and third placed Eimear Moran and Susie Mitchell of Sundrive Track Team.
But Hendron showed all of her experience with a daring late race-winning attack. The veteran - who turns 53-years-old in a few weeks - crossed the line solo to deny multiple national champion Moran.
Advertisement
“I came into the champs with good confidence and my numbers were up on this time last year,” she said.
“In the last Mondello league race I ended up starting with the A2s because I was late and I managed to stay with them so that was a real boost to the confidence.”
Further proof of her condition came when she qualified for a bronze medal ride-off in the 3k individual pursuit, though Deborah Madden (Sundrive Track Team) pipped her there; but only by shaving a massive three seconds off her personal best.
Hendron was beaten for bronze also - by Deirbhle Ivory both times - in the sprint and the 500m TT.
It all made the gold medal scratch race win extra special.
“By the time the scratch race came I was full of mixed emotions,” she said.
Related News
“I was delighted with my form, delighted for the nice mix of riders getting on the podium but also it was a little bittersweet.
"I thought I might never medal in championships again with this new talent coming through.”
From her coach the instruction was simple: “Race when the race is hardest”.
“When a dangerous early break was reeled in I used the opportunity to attack," she said.
“With some of the favourites at the back it gave me that split second to get a gap and then, as so often happens in a scratch race, nobody believes the move will actually stick.
"And with so many sprinters in the group behind it played into my hands.
“Apparently there was a great race behind but I had bought my ticket and I just had to keep riding hard but within myself.
“With four laps to go I couldn't believe this was actually happening.
"So many times in races I’d be the one attacking and attacking and then in the end they would let someone else clip off the front.
“But this time I was the one they were letting go. As I headed into the last four laps I just treated it like the 2k pursuit.
"And even in the last 200 metres when I probably could have relaxed and enjoyed the moment I kept going for fear the momentum of the final sprint would engulf me.
“But they didn't and finally it all came right for me.”
Hendron will now turn her attention to the Masters World Track Championships and plans to prepare for that with the IVCA track championships, the Leinster champs and the inaugural Scott Orwell Wheelers championships.
Topics
