Ireland’s Doherty takes podium result at HSBC UK National Series

*Áine Doherty of Belfast's VC Glendale on her way to 3rd place in the youth race at the HSBC UK National Cross Country Series in Wales at the weekend*

Irish rider Áine Doherty has taken a podium result at the HSBC UK National Cross Country Series at Sunnybank Farm, Monmouth, Wales.

The teenager, who rides with VC Glendale in Belfast, was
3rd in the youth race against the best on the British cross country scene in
what was the second round of the 2021 series.

The race was won by Libby Bell, the Garden Shed UK-Scott
rider who has won the British cyclocross championships and podiumed in the road
and MTB championships.

She took the victory by just over one minute from Daisy Taylor (Royal Albert CC), the rider that 3rd placed Doherty battled with throughout the race once she got to the front of the field.

*Out of Belfast: VC Glendale's Áine Doherty all smiles after a very successful outing against the best of British*

Doherty had not ridden the series for two years and was
gridded in 13th place, which meant the first challenge she faced was overtaking
as many girls ahead of her as quickly as she could.

“Luckily there was a long climb at
the start so it meant I had a lot of time to make up places before heading into
the single track,” she told stickybottle.

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“I was able to get up to 2nd place
only seven seconds behind the leader by the end of the first lap. So I tried to
stay in my own rhythm for the rest of the race.”

With two more laps to do after her
strong start to make up places, Doherty was caught and passed by eventual runner-up
Taylor on the last lap.

They went head-to-head on that final
lap, putting time into those behind and as Bell rode strongly from the front
towards victory.

In the end Doherty claimed 3rd and
said she was very pleased with the result as she had no expectations going into
the event, given her absence from the series over the last two years.

“I looked at the course the day
before and it was very challenging, with a lot of climbs and some tricky
descents,” she said. “So I knew it was going to be a hard race as the weather
was very warm and I knew hydration would be crucial

“I really enjoyed being back racing
mountain bike again, especially in Britain where the girls’ level is so high,”
said the multiple Irish MTB XC and cyclocross champion.

Doherty added her VC Glendale club and Cycling Ulster Off-Road had given her welcome support.