Having already opened her account for the 2022 road race campaign with a victory in Co Meath two weeks ago, Caoimhe O'Brien is back on the top step of the podium today at the Des Hanlon Memorial.
The 19-year-old from Co Westmeath sprinted in at the head of the lead group this afternoon to win event for the second consecutive season. O'Brien, riding for UCI-ranked team Torelli-Cayman Islands-Scimitar, was too fast for Mia Griffin (Illi Bikes Cycling Team), with impressive junior rider Erin Creighton (McConvey Cycles) in 3rd place.
O'Brien, who spent a recent period training in Spain, got her season off to a flying start this day two weeks ago when she was best in the women's race at the Seamus Kennedy Memorial in Co Meath.
Young Creighton, who has just turned 18-years-old, has also made a fantastic start to the season as she won the John Haldane Memorial in Newry last weekend and is showing she is one to keep a very close eye on.
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As today's Des Hanlon Memorial, promoted by Carlow Road Cycling Club, is part of the Cycling Ireland National Road Series, O'Brien goes into an early lead in that competition.
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Today O'Brien was one of the main movers in the race; driving the pace as hard as she could on the main climb on the course. While her efforts helped pull a breakaway clear of the remains of the peloton, a regrouping quickly followed.
On the run in to the finish, on a descent before the last significant incline of the race, O'Brien attacked and managed to break clear solo. However, after spending a period out front on her own she was caught with about 4km to go to the finish. But those efforts didn't dull her sprint for the final dash to the line, where she ran out the clear winner.
Lots more to come.
