Amy Brice too strong in National League opener as Josie Knight (16) lays down major marker

Amy Brice leading the group on her way to victory in the opening round of Joe Daly Women’s National League in Co Meath today (Photo: Brendan Culleton)

By Caroline Martinez

Amy Brice has won the opening round of the Joe Daly Women’s National League in the Boyne Valley GP near Slane in Co Meath today, Sunday.

The DID Electrical Racing Team rider attacked 300 metres from the finish and established a big enough gap to cross the finish line solo ahead of the field.

The race was characterised by high speed at the start, with plenty of attacking and counter-attacking lining out the bunch from the gun, with some riders shelled out the back as early as the opening 5km in the 48km contest

Halfway through the first of four 12 kilometres laps, an unfortunate crash took down around fifteen riders, with more stuck behind the incident.

The pace was maintained in the whittled down bunch, with those lucky enough to avoid the crash especially keen to maintain a place at the front in a group now numbering around 20.

While DID Electrical Racing Team were clearly strong, Orwell Wheelers were also out in force and when team veteran Orla Hendron decided to attack at the start of the third lap, only first year junior Josie Knight (O’Leary Stone-Kanturk) followed.

For a time it looked as though the decisive move of the race had been made and the pair would stay away to contest the win between them. However, the pace being set by Knight was apparently too hot to handle for Hendron, who decided to sit up and wait for the group.

Knight was undeterred despite her youth and ploughed on for home on her own despite the chase after her now becoming more organised.

The sixteen year-old may be new to the women’s scene but she’s already making a name for herself as one of the fastest young riders in the country. She held a 30-second advantage through the third lap before finally getting caught, with the lead group staying intact into the finale.

It was with around 300 metres remaining that Brice seized the initiative, getting the jump on the others and holding it to the line.

Impressive teenager Knight still had enough in her legs to take 2^nd place despite her lone breakaway heroics. She was awarded the stickybottle.com junior prize for a courageous performance.

She was followed home by dual mountain biker and road rider Claire Oakley (XMTB McConvey Cycles) in 3^rd just head of Hendron in 4th. Fiona Guihen and Sarah Piner, both of DID Electrical RT, were 5th and 6th respectively.

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Brice seemed delighted with her win.

“It’s a very good start to the season with a win for DID,” she said. “The race was full of crashes. I hope everyone is ok. The roads were greasy, but I kept safe.

“I was unlucky with a puncture but got a quick wheel change and got back into the race pretty quickly with a lap to go and finished it off with a sprint.

“The numbers in the bunch we down due to the crashes and there was a headwind coming down to the finish. I tried to pick wheels but I ended up quite exposed coming to the finish. With about 300 metres to go I went and no one could keep up.”

Brice has already shown good form in this early season by picking up a couple of wins in the Ulster league, contributing to the team’s tally of five victories to date.

“I think as the women’s calendar is growing in Ireland, the team definitely wants to win as much as we can,” said Brice.

“Everyone on the team is strong. Nationals and Rás na mBan are the main goal and we’ll try to bring a strong team to these events.”