Irish women shine in big company in Belgium and France | Video

Ireland's Amelia Tyler of Handsling and Allison Mrugal of Cycnisca Cycling up the road at Scheldeprijs, where they led the way for most of the major race (Photo: Rafa Gomez-SCA-Cor Vos)

Amelia Tyler, the Irish 21-year-old riding for British Continental Handsling Alba, yesterday went on the attack at Scheldeprijs in Belgium, spending the vast majority of the 130km race battling out front.

Though a chase group eventually got across to the leaders, boosting Tyler's chances of making it all the way to the line, the sprinters' teams were not going to let the breakaway win the day.

And with less than 2km remaining - after their gap had been closed right down and gone out again - the breakaway was finally swallowed up, paving the way for a bunch sprint won by former world champion Elisa Balsamo (Lidl-Trek).

Charlotte Kool (Team Picnic PostNL) was 2nd and Chiara Consonni (Canyon-Sram-zondacrypto) was 3rd, with Irish international Caoimhe O'Brien (Cynisca Cycling) put in a strong showing in the large bunch sprint to take 17th place; a great result at this level.

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Tyler was 37th after being clear in a two-rider group, with Allison Mrugal (Cynisca Cycling), and spending about 115km clear, both with the American rider and much later in the race when they were joined by the chasing group with about 15km to go.

That was a very strong effort by Tyler, a former top triathlete from Bangor, who is based in Britain and does most of her racing there.

First-year U23 rider, and a European junior champion on the track from last year, Lucy Bénézet Minns (Lotto Ladies), also made it all the way in the bunch yesterday. She finished 86th at 20 seconds, losing that time as splits emerged in the field in the final kick for the line.

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While that trio of Irish riders was in action in Belgium, Esther Wong (Torelli) took away a strong result from Région Pays de la Loire Tour (1.2) in France, to take 12th place. Wong was among a group of 16 riders that finished 10 seconds down on solo winner Anneke Dijkstra (VolkerWessels).

Irish rider Wong, who won the National Cyclocross Championships earlier this year, coped very well on the kicker to the finish line that split the bunch, with significant gaps emerging in the field.

Fiona Mangan (Winspace Orange Seal) was returning to race action after a crash last month, with the Irish champion finishing in the bunch; placing 38th and losing 32 seconds on the uphill finish. Grace Reynolds (Smurfit Westrock Cycling Team) was 45th at 2:07.

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