There was no shortage of fantastic riding by Irish woman this year across all the disciplines.
Nine women are shortlisted for Cycling Ireland's 'Female Rider of the Year' award in 2018. They competed on road, track and off-road through the season.
You can review the shortlist and their biographies below. And at the very end of the piece you'll find where to vote.
Photos with thanks to Sean Rowe, Sharon McFarland, Lorraine O'Sullivan and Thomas Fitzpatrick.
Irish cycling's best female rider of 2018
Áine Donegan - Scott Orwell Wheelers
Áine, above, has completed an excellent first season racing, culminating with her overall win of the National Road Series title. She has delivered consistent performances throughout the season in the National Series events and gained selection for the Irish national team for the first time.
Eileen Burns - Ballymena CC
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A time trial specialist, Eileen made her debut at the Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast in April, competing on both the road and track, in the individual pursuit, time trial and road race. She finished 11th in the elite women’s time trial with a mere 13 seconds between her and a top ten place.
Eve McCrystal - Garda CC
Best known as a Paralympic champion and double world champion as the pilot for Katie-George Dunlevy, Eve won the senior women's road race title in the Cycling Ireland National Road Championships. It was a hotly contested race where she outsprinted a talented and strong field.
Katharine Smyth - Ballymena CC
Katharine had a phenomenal start to the racing season, winning the Des Hanlon which was the opening round of the Cycling Ireland National Road Series. In one of the toughest road races, Smyth attacked early and enjoyed a significant lead throughout the race.
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Katie-George Dunlevy - Crawley Wheelers
The Paralympic and double world champion won the gold medal at the Belgian World Cup in the women’s B tandem road race. Dunlevy was also silver in the time trial, which was the first defeat for herself and pilot Eve McCrystal in this event since 2015, highlighting their dominance at world level.
Lara Gillespie - Scott Orwell Wheelers
Lara won the elite category in the Cycling Ireland Cyclocross National Championships this year, and went on to finish a credible 21st place in the U23 event at the UCI Cyclocross World Championships. At the World Championships there was no junior event for women, so she competed in the U23 event and was the 4th junior rider.
Lydia Gurley - AeroCoach
Lydia is now a regular on the track cycling scene and has already picked up medals on the world stage. In February she was competing in the UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Apeldoorn, where a brave move in the scratch race saw her almost gain a lap on the field to compete for medals. Her move was reeled in agonisingly close to the line – resulting in a 15th place finish.
Maeve Gallagher - Castlebar Cycling Club
Maeve competed in the five-day Rás na mBan and took part in her first World Championships this year. She excelled in both, claiming the best Irish based domestic rider in Rás na mBan and putting in a strong performance at the World Championships in Innsbruck to claim 26th in the road race.
Sacha Bickerstaff - PLUSHmtb
Sacha won the senior women’s title at the National DH Championships held in Bike Park Ireland in Roscrea, Co Tipperary. Sacha overcame some injury problems to get back and claim the national title.
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