Annalise Murphy power bazooka secures second National Series win

*Annalise Murphy celebrates her win at the Kay Stratton Memorial, round 2 of the Cycling Ireland National Road Series, in Blarney, Co Cork (Photo: Sean Rowe)*

Annalise Murphy is best known for her Olympic medal-winning exploits in a sailing boat but having won several national track titles last season she has now added to her growing road racing reputation with another big win yesterday.

The Longcourt Hotel-NCW Wheeler proved best of a small field at the Kay Stratton Memorial, promoted by Blarney CC in Co Cork yesterday, which was 'Round 2' of the Cycling Ireland National Road Series.

Murphy had already claimed victory in the opening round last month, the Des Hanlon Memorial in Co Carlow, and is now looking good to capture the overall title for this year.

She finished solo yesterday after taking a very aggressive approach from a long way out and dropping the handful of riders that remained in the 'peloton' with just over 30km to go.

*Junior series leader, Kate Murphy, and Jennifer Neenan changing over the front of the chasing group after Annalise Murphy had already powered off up the road (Photo: Sean Rowe)*

"(It was) a great race today and a great course, really nice to have a tailwind for the final 30km," she said. "It was a light women's field, there's lots of women racing in Ireland and we just need to get them doing these races, so I'll definitely be getting more people to get into races.

"I got away on the climb and ended up doing a near 40km Time Trial on my own - which I haven't done in a long time! I'm feeling good at the moment and I'm just trying to enjoy it.

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"I'm actually going to do a little mountain biking at the Cross Country National Series. I'm looking forward to TT National Championships, Road National Championships and also on the track. I feel like I'm doing loads of cycling and probably don't have the time to do it all. I'm enjoying it."

Yesterday, the women raced for just over 15km from the start in Blarney, to a circuit of just over 50km, before racing back in the road for the finish in Blarney.

*Mary Corless takes the sprint for 2nd place from Jennifer Neenan and Nicola Lynch, with Kate Murphy and Abi Conway in the background headed for 5th and 6th (Photo: Sean Rowe)*

The manner of Murphy's win was quite simple; a power bazooka up and over the climb of the Nadd with about 35km remaining. That surge saw her move clear of the others still with her at that point. And from there she never looked back, powering away to a convincing win, though the start list of just nine riders was disappointing.

In the chasing group, Mary Corless (Challenge CC) beat and Jennifer Neenan (UCD Cycling Club) in the battle to settle 2nd and 3rd.

And just behind them, Nicola Lynch (Newmarket Cycling & Triathlon Club) took 4th from junior series leader Kate Murphy (Sliabh Luachra Cycling Club), who was 5th, with Abi Conway (Westport Covey Wheelers) rounding out the chasing group in 6th.