Megan Armitage has taken her first Irish cycling title after she was in a class of her own this evening in Kells, Co Meath, at the National Criterium Championships.
The IBCT rider, who is usually more suited to hilly terrain, got clear on her own early in the contest and powered her way to a solo victory.
In the sprint from the small field for the silver and bronze medals, Cleo Harvey of Dublin Wheelers proved fastest while junior rider Aoife O'Brien of Torelli-Assure-Scimitar claimed the bronze medal.
Armitage attacked from the opening lap and was chased for most of the race by a four-rider group that included Harvey, O'Brien, Ciara Kelly (Velo Performance) and Ella Doherty (UCD Cycling Club).
Armitage, who is a late-comer to cycling and is based in Belgium where she is riding on the European pro scene, said she could not believe she had won the title.
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Megan Armitage takes the win at the Criterium National Championships 🏆 pic.twitter.com/JZKR2BOb0i
— Cycling Ireland (@CyclingIreland) July 6, 2022
"I wasn't expecting it at all," said the 25-year-old new elite Irish champion who only started racing the year before last. "Like, I didn't think I'd be winning the crit champs at all so I was really surprised."
However, she said as the course was similar to a Belgian kermesse, she was used to riding those races.
"I knew if it came down to a sprint there would be a low chance of me winning so I just tried to go on the first lap and, yeah, I got away.
"This year has been a big step up. This time last year I was just going out to Belgium and doing my first race so it's stood to me a lot and I've learned a lot. I've a lot more to learn, I'm looking forward to it."
Armitage, who attacked late from the front group in the elite women's race at the National Road Race Championships two weeks ago only to be caught just before the finish, said one of her goals for the remainder of the season was selection of the road Europeans.
