Ireland’s Lucy O’Donnell (17) steps up: Takes first UCI win on British scene

Top of the podium: Lucy O'Donnell's smile says it all, thrilled at taking her first win in a UCI-ranked race

Lucy O’Donnell, the international road and cyclocross rider, has taken a big step forward with her first UCI-ranked race win.

The 17-year-old won the
junior category in the fifth round of the HSBC National
Trophy Cyclocross in Pembrey.

O’Donnell was riding what was a combined
women’s race in muddy conditions; seniors, U23s, juniors and veteran riders all
in the same event.

The young Irish rider found herself
about halfway down the field after the opening lap in what was an aggressive
start.

However, she stuck to the task and
picked her way through the field lap after lap; gaining ground on many of those
ahead in the six-lap event.

By the finish O’Donnell, riding in the
colours of her cyclocross team Verge Pi Cycles, had done enough for 8th place
in the combined event.

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And that went she ran out the winner of
the junior race. She was 3:24 down on the elite pro rider who won the combined
event; Ffion James (Hope Factory Racing).

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O’Donnel was 1:55 up on Amelie Wayte (RST-Cycle
Division) who took 2nd place in the junior race. Lotta Mansfield (RST-Cycle
Division RT) took 3rd some 4:02 down on O’Donnell.

It was a great performance from the
Irish teenager; a rider who has been progressing brilliantly in recent seasons.

She rode the U23 women’s race at the
World Cyclocross Championships last season and just two months ago competed in
the junior road race at the World Road Championships.

Speaking to stickybottle just before she
left home for school this morning, O’Donnell said she was thrilled to take her
first UCI win.

“I found myself in
fifteenth or sixteenth position after the first lap. After that I just had to
keep pushing and managed to work myself up to eight overall,” she said.

“The course had
everything; loads of sand, steep run-up sections and very high steps. I really
enjoyed the racing.

“Having the opportunity
to go to these races is really valuable. I learned so much every time,” she
said, adding she was grateful for the opportunity afforded by her team.

Sun, Nov 24: HSBC National Trophy Cyclocross

Round 5 Pembrey: Combined Women's Race

  1. Ffion James Hope Factory Racing S 00:49:01
  2. Sophie Thackray SCOTT Racing U23 00:49:58
  3. Xan Crees Team Empella Cyclo-Cross U23 00:50:37
  4. Fiona Turnbull Slingshot U23 00:50:43
  5. Amy Perryman Hargroves-Montezuma's U23 00:51:01
  6. Alderney Baker Team Empella Cyclo-Cross U23 00:51:32
  7. Abbie Manley Hargroves-Montezuma's U23 00:52:13
  8. Lucy O'Donnell Verge Sport PI Cycles Jnr 00:52:25
  9. Marie Lynn Team Jadan Weldtite-Vive U23 00:53:29
  10. Clare Dallimore Cardiff Ajax CC S 00:54:04
  11. Gemma Melton XRT - Elmy Cycles S 00:54:14
  12. Amelie Wayte RST/Cycle Division RT Jnr 00:54:20
  13. Ruby Miller Hope Factory Racing S 00:54:47
  14. Emily Ashwood Liv Awol U23 00:54:54
  15. Nicole Clarke Birkenhead North End CC U23 00:55:29
  16. Emma Collier Stan's No Tubes UK S 00:56:18
  17. Lotta Mansfield RST/Cycle Division RT Jnr 00:56:27
  18. Joanne Clay TORQ Performance S 00:56:45
  19. Amy Cantelo Hargroves-Montezuma's Jnr 00:56:49
  20. Iwona Szmyd Royal Dean Forest CC V40 00:56:52
  21. Amelie Prior Banjo Cycles/Raceware Jnr 00:56:52
  22. Lea Bonnafous Excited Riders Team S 00:57:07
  23. Connie Hayes Liv Awol U23 00:57:36
  24. Elizabeth Hughes Team LDN S 00:58:34
  25. Roisin Lally Scott Eurocycles.com Jnr 00:58:54
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