Mary Corless makes history with first ever National eRacing Champs victory

*Mary Corless made the journey from Tuam to Dublin today for the National eRacing Championships final and goes home this evening having made history*

Mary Corless from Tuam in Co Galway has made history this afternoon by winning the inaugural National eRacing Championships.

Corless, a talented triathlete, claimed the gold medal today, in what was a demonstration national championships event this year, from Vanessa Fursden (Wahoo Le Col) and Claire Richardson (Killinchy Cycling Club).

The 35km women's race came saw the top three riders pull clear of the other competitors during the very early stages of today's final. And while the three leaders each played their part in animating the race with attacks, they rode into the final kilometres in a three-rider group.

During the mid-way point of the race, a series of attacks in that front group failed to break it up, though made for great viewing for those tuned into the event, which was streamed online.

Deep into the final kilometre, Corless used her 15-second power up and timed her final effort to perfection; putting the power down with about 600 metres to go and immediately opening a decisive gap.

Related News

Lara Gillespie attacks Dolomite stage as Giro hits high mountains

Video - Ireland's Meehan climbs with best on brutal Alpine terrain

And though the final hundred metres or so was uphill, Corless - who competes with TriLakes Triathlon Club - had the engine and the legs on the day to finish the job.

She came over the line a few seconds ahead of Fursden, with Richardson just behind her in the bronze medal position. The men's title race was set to go ahead later on Saturday evening.

The finalists for the women’s Cycling Ireland title race today emerged best in the qualifying event last month over one lap of the Watopia Figure 8 course, for a total distance of 29.8km.

The final today was held over the New York, Astoria Line 8 course, with a total distance of 34.5km and 423m of elevation. The riders fought it out in-person as they all gathered at O'Reilly Hall on UCD's Belfield Campus in south Dublin for the race.

Some of them had never before used the equipment provided for these championships but adapted well. All participants used the full Wahoo ecosystem including a KICKR Smart Turbo Trainer, KICKR Climb, KICK Headwind and Gaming laptop.

More to come.