Garda CC rider Catherine McAteer showed a strong kick and willingness to gamble when winning in Clonard at the weekend. It's a combination that can serve her well during the campaign ahead (Photo with thanks to Brendan Culleton)
By Brian Canty
Catherine McAteer got her season off to a great start at the weekend when she won the women’s event at Rás Naomh Finian in Clonard.
And the Donegal woman, who is riding for Garda CC again this year, hopes it can be the catalyst for an improvement on 2014.
“It was a good race with some very strong riders,” she said.
“There was a lot of attacking and the strong winds made it even harder so my plan was to try and save as much energy as I could.
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“It was a relatively flat race, not very long but with some long straight so I knew it’d be hard to get away."
The women's bunch races towards the finish in Clonard on Saturday; McAteer said she was very pleased to have won from what she considered a strong field (Photo: Joe Duffy)
McAteer's wait and see gamble paid dividends when the finish came down to a bunch sprint and romped in to take it.
McAteer beat Aideen Keenan (DID Electrical Racing) and Sinead Oakes (Nenagh CC) for the win and she now wants to kick on for the rest of the season.
“Last year was my first experience of bike racing and I had to learn fast,” she explained.
“So I tried to race and learn as much as possible.
“My main aim was to finish Rás na mBan and I was lucky that I got the chance to do that.”
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McAteer in action in Corkagh Park last year; she says the women's scene has expanded and that new faces are being introduced all the time (Photo with thanks to Brendan Culleton)
It was a steep learning curve, but she believes she’s better for it this season.
“It’s is a great opportunity for women to be part of an international stage race," she said of the An Post-backed event.
“It was the highlight of my season last year and I aim to race it again this year – and do better this time.
Her plan now is to hone her form and race craft further in the months ahead.
McAteer, second from right, on the podium after the An Post Rás na mBan last year - in the colours of Towers CC. The race is a big goal for the Donegal woman again this season.
She will mop up as many experiences as she can, "from the National League races to the National Championships to the weekend racing; the Orwell league and Corkagh Park races".
“There’s plenty to be motivated for,” she said of the long campaign ahead.
“The standard in Ireland is rising all the time. There’s a good mix of established riders and plenty more new faces and that’s great to see.
“The fact there are separate weekend events for women and midweek leagues means we’re spoilt for choice.”
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