Class proves permanent as Olympian McCauley makes winning comeback

*Jenny McAuley was a class apart in her pomp and now making a comeback as a Masters rider, she can still move when it counts, as she proved today (Photo: Toby Watson)*

The last few years - especially the 2024 road campaign - have been dominated by a narrative of Ireland's young generation on the rise; the juniors, U23s and those new to the pro peloton ascending as a group.

But today in Co Cavan, a name that was a byword for class in her heyday, Jenny McCauley, wound back the years to claim the women's race victory at the Ulster Cyclocross Series.

Still riding for Bray Wheelers, McCauley competed for Ireland in the Athens Olympics in MTB XC back in 2004, placing 23rd. But she's clearly been keeping her hand in since she hung up her racing wheels if her performance today at the Breffni Wheelers CC promotion is any guide.

Brennan - a former national champion in both downhill and MTB XC - made it to the Athens Games only a couple of years after she began competing seriously as an MTB rider.

Now a Masters 50 competitor - having just recently tipped into that age bracket - she claimed 3rd place in Oldcastle, part of the Leinster Cyclocross Series, a couple of weeks ago in what was her first race back.

Today she led the way in Castle Saunders from Elena Wallace (Harps CC), with Stephanie Roche (Scott Racing IRL) in 3rd place, completing what was a fairly tight podium after five laps of racing in just over 50 minutes.

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McCauley got off to a sluggish start and by the end of the opening lap had already given away nearly 20 seconds to Wallace and almost 10 to Roche.

And though Wallace maintained that gap - indeed extending it by a handful of seconds - on the second passage of the circuit, McCauley was already starting to make a move as she caught and passed Roche.

From that point, McCauley's class was clear to see; closing almost the entire gap to Wallace on the third lap, before catching and passing her on the penultimate lap.

As the Bray Wheelers rider began the final circuit she had about 10 seconds advantage over U23 rider Wallace, and extended that by another 20 seconds on the final lap. Wallace was 30 seconds down on the line, with Roche another 21 seconds back in 3rd.

Jean Wilson (EPIC MTV Expert Cycles), another Masters 50 rider, took 4th place with Rachel Newell (McConvey Cycles) in 5th and Niamh Stephens of Team Gian Dublin rounding out the top 6 on the day.

Women's Race | Ulster Cyclocross Series