One of Ireland's most prolific medal-winners on the track in recent years, Lara Gillespie has seamlessly switched her talents to the road in Co Kilkenny this evening when she claimed victory on the opening stage at Rás na mBan.
The 21-year-old was backed all the way by her Team Ireland team mates during the 74.2km stage from Kilkenny to Callan. And when the moment came to step up and finish the job, Gillespie claimed a long overdue Irish victory on Ireland's premier race for women. Indeed, it was the first stage win by an Irish rider on the race since 2014.
She won ahead of Kate Richardson (Alba Development) with Jessica Finney (Cams-Basso) rounding out the podium after a sprint finish.
Gillespie had in recent weeks shown she was in good road racing form with victory in the final round of the Cycling Ireland National Road Series in Dromore, Co Down, last month despite that event being her first on the road since winning the national title in 2020.
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Today the Irish team was clearly keen to assert itself on the race and took responsibility for setting the pace and closing down moves; Linda Kelly, Emily Kay, Eve McCrystal and Kelly Murphy all pushing on in the green jerseys of Ireland.
While the start was fast, a strong crosswind as they raced out of Kilkenny meant any would-be escapees were going to have their work cut out of them getting up the road and then staying clear.
A strong move by Maddie Leech and Kate Richardson after about 20km was the first real attack of the race. And while that duo was closed down by an attentive bunch, the effort strung out the field, with gaps appearing.
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Less than 10km later, and with just under 50km to go to the finish in Callan, the field hit the 3.3km climb of Curragawn; a Cat 3 with an average gradient of 3.7 per cent and maxing out at 7.1 per cent.
Dani Shrosbree (CAMS Basso Bikes) claimed maximum points at the top of the ascent with Caoimhe O'Brien (Cycling Leinster) taking 2nd place. By the time the peloton had crested that climb and swept down the other side, it was thinned right back.
With 33km to go the riders raced onto the finishing circuit in Callan, with two passages of the finish line before the big finale. Again the Irish national team was to the fore, clearly determined to open their Rás na mBan campaign with a bang. The Finish Line RT and Cycling Team LDN squads were also pressing at the front as the kilometres ticked down.
As the field raced onto the last lap, for the final 13km, the Lux Cycling Team from the US, which did so well last year including taking the opening stage, and IBCT were also showing their cards at the front.
And it was those aforementioned teams who remained towards the front into the finale for a technical finished in the rain, with a left hander just 200m from the finish line. The Irish squad and Gillespie got it right and came away with the victory.
More to come.
