Olivia Dillon is on a high as she looks forward to the World Championships next week after her victory in An Post Rás na mBan (Photo: www.blackumbrella.ie)
Having come to Europe from her US base to prepare for the World Championships in Italy next week, Olivia Dillon made the very best of her ride in the An Post Rás na mBan over the past week, taking the overall win and emerging from it on a high.
The Team Ireland rider laid the foundation for her overall success on a very demanding stage 2, when she went clear in the escape and then forged ahead from that move with team mate Mel Spath.
The duo looked by far the strongest as the riders faced the pointy end of six stages of racing, fought out by the strongest international women’s field ever assembled in Ireland.
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They put over three minutes into the best of the rest on that decisive stage 2 and while Dillon had to settle for second on the day behind Spath, she took the pink leaders jersey and held it all the way to the finish in Ennis yesterday.
She ended the race equal on time with Spath but was awarded the overall victory on the basis of stage placing count back.
Under the watchful eye of manager Gillian McDarby, Team Ireland won two stages and as well as filling the top two slots overall, Lydia Boylan was also fourth for the women in green.
“I’m absolutely thrilled with the win,” a clearly delighted Dillon told stickybottle after the race.
“It was a hard week and the field was super deep with a lot of talented riders. It was definitely a team effort and all the riders, Caroline (Ryan), Mel (Spath) and Lydia (Boylan) did an amazing job all week. This is really a win for the team.”
Having missed the race last year, the California-based Mayo woman was keen to come back and try and win it again as part of Team Ireland, as she did in 2011 and 2010.
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“Every year I’ve come I have had an amazing time racing. I would like to be able to come back every year. Last year my calendar just didn't work out so this year it worked out great.”
Dillon races full time as part of professional US team Now Novartis for MS. She believes the field has become stronger and better prepared for Rás na mBan over the past few years.
“The level has increased dramatically. You can see that out there. It’s great that so many people are earning wins and jerseys and it shows the strength of the field.”
At the end of August, Dillon raced the Lotto Decca Belgium Tour and the French Tour de l’Ardeche UCI stage races in preparation for An Post Rás na mBan and the World championships.
“I was looking ahead to Worlds,” she said of her decision to set up camp in Europe in recent weeks.
“US racing finished off in August so I wanted to get on the World’s team this year and wanted to have the best preparation possible and to do European racing is the best way to prepare."
"I got lucky enough to get some rides in Belgium and France and Rás na mBan is the icing on the cake. Now I can recover and fine tune for Italy."
Dillon has been selected, along with Melanie Spath, to represent Ireland in the women’s road race at the Worlds.
“It’s a really tough course this year in Florence. I am heading over on Thursday to pre ride it and hope to do my best.”
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