Once Olivia Dillon got her hands on the leaders pink jersey at Rás na mBan this week, it looked ominous for everyone else. The US-based pro wrapped up her third overall win in the race today by finishing in the select group of main favourites after a rain soaked 86km into Ennis (Photo: www.blackumbrella.ie)
Olivia Dillon of Team Ireland wrapped up the overall win at An Post Rás na mBan in Co Clare today when she came home in 7th place on the sixth and final stage.
The US-based pro who has won this race twice before crossed the line in her group some 9 seconds after stage winner Christina Malling Siggart from Denmark.
Dillon was on the stage just one place ahead of National Road Race Champion Mel Spath, also riding for the Irish team. And with the two women on equal time overall, Dillon won the race by virtue of stage placings count back.
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Siggart (Team Rygter) won the rain soaked final stage after 87km into Ennis. She attacked inside the last 1,500 metres and crossed the line 20 metres in front of a chasing Hannah Barnes (DID Electrical RT) and Jennifer Letué (Trek Norway).
The race split quite early, around ten kilometres in, when Dutch riders Bianca Lust (District Noord Holland) and Danielle Bikkering (Bike4Air) broke away from the main field.
The rain and strong headwind got the better of the Dutch duo as their escape was brought back by the chasing bunch.
However, this early activity was enough to break the race up, with riders dropping one by one from the back of the bunch. As the main field was whittled down, a group of strong riders formed and split from the rest of the depleted bunch.
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In this dangerous breakaway were GC contenders Spath and race leader Dillon (both of Team Ireland), Jenny Fay (BikeAid.de), Laura Massey (Abbergavenny), Siggart (Team Rygter), Christine Majerus (Team Luxembourg), Barnes (DID electrical Racing Team), Katie Donovan (Ritte), Jennifer Létué (Trek Norway), Vita Heine (Trek Norway).
The field seemed too tired to bring them back, and they quickly built up a gap of over a minute on a small chasing group of two: Lydia Boylan (Team Ireland) and Elizabeth Mallins (Abergavenny).
Siggart broke clear late in the run in with one thing in mind, going early to avoid the sprint finish. Hannah Barnes and Jennifer Letué chased hard to try and catch the Dane, but it was too late.
“I am very glad; it’s my first time racing Rás na mBan and my first race racing as senior,” said Siggart.
“The race was not what I had dreamed of. I had hoped to finish in the top 3, but the Irish team was very strong. It’s nice to finish off the race with a win.”
“I like to be in a breakaway. I tried to look after myself and I could feel some pain in my back but I tried to forget about it and get ready for the finish. I attacked at about 1,500 metres to go and went all out."
We’ll have an interview with race winner Dillon a bit later.
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