Marine Lenehan and Richard Barry are this week celebrating their new Irish titles after both claimed victory in the 2024 Esports National Championships, which were hosted on Zwift. The fields were small - 11 men and six women - but were packed with quality and produced two very worthy winners.
Lenehan (Dan Morrissey-Primór by Pissei) broke through on the road last year with a series of big performances, including being crowned European Gran Fondo champion and taking silver at the Worlds.
Barry (St Finbarr's) is also one of the best cyclocross riders in the country, meaning he is well-suited to shorter intense efforts.
In the women's race, Lenehan took it to the opposition with an attack in the opening 10km of the 23km Scottish Rolling Highlands course. However, while that was an impressive move, she didn't have it all her own way.
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She was joined by international TT rider, and triathlete, Joanna Patterson (The Independent Pedaler-Nopinz), as well as Mary Corless (Challenge CC), a proven Esports competitor.
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And while those three then went ahead of the rest of the field, and each made an effort to break clear, they approached the finish together. Lenehan took a brave approach to the finish, going early to win from Patterson, with Corless 3rd at five seconds.
The men's title race was a perhaps a cagier and more even competition, with the finish coming down to an eight-rider group of the 11 starters. However, there was still plenty of aggression along the way; with repeated attacks being covered by the other men in the field with designs on the medals.
Eventual winner Barry was one of those trying his hand, and also chasing other attackers, with most of the other moves being led by Ian Inglis (Kinning Cycles Cycling Club), Keane Ryan (Four Masters CC) and Finn McHenry (The Cycling Academy).
Those four came to the finish with Colin Clavin (Streamstown Cycling Club), Liam Dunne (Un-Attached Leinster), Bryan Geary (St Tiernan's Cycling Club) and Conor Verbruggen (Bray Wheelers).
McHenry opened the gallop with a very strong effort before Clavin closed him down only for Barry to pip both on the line for gold. Calvin claimed silver and Four Masters man, Ryan, came through for the bronze.
