Ellen McDermott has taken a brilliant victory at the Tour Series in the UK, with the former Irish criterium champion proving best in the bunch sprint that settled the honours last night.
While McDermott (Team Boompods) claimed the victory, compatriot Caoimhe O'Brien (Torelli Cayman Islands Scimitar) took 4th place, making it a great night for the Irish riders.
McDermott (33) has already shown great form this season and has ridden very strongly in the Tour Series in the past. However, she converted that form into a big win last night in Barking, where she beat Emma Jeffers (Jadan-Vive Le Velo) and Kate Richardson (Alba Development Road Team) into 2nd and 3rd places.
McDermott's team were among the main aggressors on the night but while several moves went up the road, nothing stuck on the fast Barking circuit. That set it up for a big sprint finish, from a group of about 30 riders, with a delighted McDermott best in the final gallop to the line.
Advertisement
Related News
“I’m absolutely buzzing. I think the team played a pivotal role in the whole win, we were so aggressive the whole race, we were firing riders off the front, left right and centre," she said.
"I got a bit of a free ride towards to end, because Monica just put in this massive attack and stayed away. I was just floating around in mid-pack thinking nice, if this comes back together I better sprint here, because the team have worked so hard and got it.
“For the last two laps the pace was quite high and it was really about holding the position. With the men’s race (first) I just knew how to win it, coming around that outside you were able to carry so much speed because it was really fast in the finish.
"I think holding speed around that bend you basically had it in the bag, I think that’s how the mens race was won as well, so I was like ‘if they can do it, so can I’.”
In the men's race, Irish rider Rory Townsend (Wiv SunGod) finished 2nd behind Ollie Peckover (Ribble Weldtite).
