Irish TT champion Kelly Murphy has expressed her satisfaction with her performance in the elite women’s TT at the European Road Championships today.
The 29-year-old placed 10th in the 22.4km test in
Alkmaar, the Netherlands. She is the first elite female Irish rider to take a
top 10 at the Europeans or Worlds.
She clocked a time of 29:34, some 1:27 behind winner,
former world champion and four-time European TT champion Ellen van Dijk of the
Netherlands.
Ireland’s other rider in the race, former national TT
champion Anna Turvey, was two places and 26 seconds further back; a very strong
ride.
Murphy said she was very happy with her performance,
adding it made her more determined as she looked ahead to the next goals.
As well as being a road international, she was also part
of the Irish team pursuit line-up that broke the national record earlier this
year.
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“Top 10 was a dream target given the
field; it was on the very limit of what l thought l could achieve,” Murphy told
stickybottle of her Europeans ride.
“Based on last year's result, 17th in
near enough the same field, l would have settled for top half.
“It was a very short and flat race with
strong winds so it was a matter of floating the tailwind and pushing the
headwind.
“It was about keeping low to keep your
weight and leverage low over the front wheel in the crosswinds.
“It was great to be back in the green
and l hope l did it proud,” said Murphy, adding she was very thankful to all
the Cycling Ireland support staff.
“The atmosphere here is brilliant. We
had a right laugh today and that makes the whole experience a real pleasure. And
now l only feel hungry to drive harder for the next event.”
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