Lydia Boylan is now a full time rider with plenty of UK and European experience under her belt which she is hoping will carry her to the national road title in Westmeath.
UK-based Lydia Boylan says winning the national road race title has always been a big goal of hers and believes her recent good results on the crit scene in the UK will give her confidence for tomorrow's showdown.
The Velosport Pasta Montegrappa rider has five national track titles to her name. But having come fourth the last two years in the biggest one-day race of the year, she says there’s a sense of “unfinished business” about the road title.
“I'm definitely going into the race this year with a lot more race experience than I've had in previous years.
Advertisement
“I'm confident in my abilities, but no one can know who will be the first to cross the finish line. Do I hope it's me? You bet. But so does everyone else.
“There's big competition and anything can happen on the day. I'm in good shape to do well so it'll be a matter of pulling it off on the day.
“Ever since my first road nationals, it's always been a big goal for me. Everyone wants that jersey.”
Of her build-up, she explained: “The last few weeks have been really solid for me and I'm feeling good. I’m ready to take on the race.
“But there are so many to watch; Olivia Dillon and Mel Spath are the obvious ones. But Fiona Meade is always a dark horse, Louise Moriarty will be there and Caroline Ryan is always strong.”
Related News
Boylan got a huge confidence booster last month when she was selected to ride the Commonwealth Games for Northern Ireland in Glasgow in August; something she has been a lifetime chasing.
“It's a huge honour to represent Northern Ireland at such a massive event,” she says.
“I'm extremely excited and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous. It's going to be the biggest event by a long way that I'll compete at. I’m definitely aiming to make the most of the experience.”
Boylan is now a full-time rider and she said that move has definitely improved her form.
“It's finding productive things to do off the bike that is the hardest,” she laughed.
“I waste so many hours just doing nothing. But it's definitely made a big difference. I also think it takes some time to adjust to also though.
“I've gone from doing a few very intense turbo sessions a week to doing a lot more hours on the road. I feel like a different rider. Hopefully that can come out tomorrow.”
Topics
