Lara Gillespie is the national champion but Maria Larkin, Francine Meehan, Michelle Geoghegan and others can press for victory (Photo: Sean Rowe)

Women's UCI cyclocross race in Belfast nicely poised

The National Cyclocross Championships usually provides the only opportunity all season for Ireland’s top women to battle each other.

However, most of the best are signed on for the UCI cyclocross race at Mallusk Playing Fields in Belfast tomorrow.

It’s an historic day; the first time a UCI-ranked cyclocross race will be held on Irish shores.

And while no national title is down for decision, a victory in a UCI-level race is the big prize on offer.

Lara Gillespie (Scott Orwell) was best last time the best clashed; claiming the Irish elite title at the start of the year.

On that occasion saw off Michelle Geoghegan (Autoglas Wettern) and Maeve Murrogh (Unattached).

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In 4th place at the nationals was one of the pre-race favourites Maria Larkin.

US-based Larkin said afterwards she had been suffering from jetlag. And when the Irish team was named for the Worlds, she was the sole elite rider selected.

Gillespie, aged just 16 years when she won the elite title in January, was picked for the U23 race at the Worlds.

Since then she has ridden the track Worlds and Europeans and the road Worlds.

She has become Irish junior road race champion in recent months, been crowned European points race champion and taken silver in the pursuit.

And how the rematch between Gillespie and Larkin unfolds tomorrow should be very interesting indeed.

But Geoghegan is back for more and she will have her say before tomorrow’s race is run. Another woman who has returned after a long absence is Francine Meehan.

She took a break from cycling and had been competing as a guide athlete with Catherine Walsh on the international paratriathlon scene, including at the Rio Paralympics.

But now Meehan, a six-time Irish cyclocross champion, is back on the cyclocross scene. And she will definitely feel she can make a big impression, and go for victory, tomorrow.

Others who can make an impression include Grace Young (De Ronde Van Cork CC), Lisa Stapelbroek (Kenmare Cycling Club), Nessa Rochford (De Ronde Van Cork CC), Niamh McKiverigan (Powerhouse Sport) and Trudy Brown (VC Glendale)