Action from last year’s series (Photo: Brendan Culleton)
By Caroline Martinez
Following the success of the Ladies Criterium League over the past two years, details have now been unveiled of a new series to be held at Sandyford industrial estate, south Dublin, in April and May.
The event is run by Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club and is sponsored by Wheelworx for the third year in a row.
The races are organised by Aideen Collard, known for her role in bringing many women to the sport. This league is open to female riders of all fitness and ability levels including beginners, youths and juniors. The league is aimed at those interested in getting into racing for the first time and will be great for improving fitness, cornering and bunch skills.
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The series will run over a total of six races including a time-trial prologue which will help to grade riders according to their ability.
Round one is a straight 5km time trial along the Ballybrack / Pine Forest Road, Glencullen. The results will be used to seed riders for the following five criterium rounds (approximately 20-30 minutes long) which take place on a flat 800m circuit in Sandyford Industrial Estate.
Racing is scheduled from April to May on the following Tuesdays:
- 10th April - TT prologue from Pine Forest Art Centre
- 17th April - Sandyford Industrial Estate Criterium
- 24th April - Sandyford Industrial Estate Criterium
- 1st May - Sandyford Industrial Estate Criterium
- 8th May - Sandyford Industrial Estate Criterium
- 15th May - Sandyford Industrial Estate Criterium
Sign-on is from 6.30pm at the Cosy Kitchen Café, Carmanhall Road, with the first race start scheduled for 7pm.
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With the numbers of women racing in Ireland growing year after year, it has become harder to predict favourites. Last year’s league winner, Sandra Fitzgerald, is still out of action so who can take the 2012 title? Caroline Conway (IRC) and sprinter Sandra Telford (Orwell) can be counted as potential competitors to Orla Hendron, Masters Track World Champion. Strong contenders such as Róisín Kennedy (ESB) and Anne Dalton (Orwell) could also be tough to beat and there’s always the potential for new talent to spring a surprise.
This promises to be another action packed league with lots of riders already
confirming their intention to race and it should make for great viewing for those who come out to show their support.
League details:
- Entry fee €5 per night or €25 for six rounds
- Cycling Ireland Full Competition or Club Competition Licence is required
- Unlicensed riders may purchase a One-day Cycling Ireland Licence on the night for €10
- IVCA Licences are accepted
- TT sign on from 6.30pm at the Pine Forest Art Centre (located 2.5km from Glencullen Village on the left hand side on TT route) - first rider off at 7.01pm.
- Criteriums sign-on is from 6.30pm at the Cosy Kitchen Café, Carmanhall Road with the first race start scheduled for 7pm.
For a map of the TT route, see: http://www.mapmyride.com/route/ie/glencullen/804126867351311198
For a map of the criterium circuit, see: http://www.mapmyride.com/route/ie/stillorgan/862126943817828346
For further information contact Aideen Collard at [email protected]
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