Ortiz does it again in Wicklow to extend ‘Trek Classic League’ lead

Sara Ortiz (Black Rose Racing) made it two wins on the trot in the Trek Women's Classic League with a dominant performance in the Orwell Wheelers Kieran Hammond Memorial A3 Race at Roundwood yesterday, Sunday.

Galway-based Spaniard Ortiz made the most of the long journey from Connacht to strengthen her advantage at the top of the Trek Classic league standings following her sprint win in Stamullen two weeks ago.

This time round there was no doubt about the destination of the victory laurels as Ortiz surged ahead on the first of four ascents of the imposing Callow Hill and stayed clear of her adversaries throughout.

Behind, Laura Banfield (McNally Swords CC), Amy Brice (Phoenix CC), Monica Marconi (HJ Lyons CC) and reigning Trek Classic League Champion Geraldine Gill (Bohermeen CC) assembled as part of a large group that formed on the descent of the first climb and worked together to limit their losses to Ortiz and stretching their advantage over one of the pre-race favourites Orla Hendron (Orwell Wheelers).

Up front Ortiz worked hard to stay on terms in her large group throughout the 70 kilometres and the former Giro Donne competitor ultimately ran out a convincing winner over the other women entrants to make it two wins from two in the Trek Classic League.

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Behind, Banfield and Brice surged clear of Gill and Marconi on the final hill but Gill found the strength to tag back on inside the final kilometre. Fearing her competitors' sprint, Banfield attacked with 500 metres to go but Brice was alive to the danger and jumped clear in the run to the line to annexe second place.

Gill finished a fatigued fourth with Marconi fifth while Hendron's rare off day ultimately resulted in an early bath.

In the points standings Ortiz has established a narrow but significant lead over Banfield with Brice and Hendron in close attendance.

Orwell Wheelers Kieran Hammond Memorial

Trek National Women’s League Round 2

1. Sara Ortiz (Black Rose Racing);
2. Amy Brice (Phoenix CC);
3. Laura Banfield (Swords CC);
4. Geraldine Gill (Bohermeen CC);
5. Monica Marconi (HJ Lyons CC);
6. Orla Hendron (DTC Orwell Wheelers) dnf.

Trek Classic League

After Two Rounds

1. Sara Ortiz (Black Rose) 20 points;
2. Laura Banfield (Swords CC) 16;
3. Amy Brice (Phoenix CC) 15;
4. Orla Hendron (DTC Orwell Wheelers) 14;
5. Tonya Moran (Unattached) 7;
6. Geraldine Gill (Bohermeen CC) 7
7. Monica Marconi (HJ Lyons CC) 6;
8. Mandy Collie (Forme Coaching) 5;
9. Mel Späth (Cycleways) 5.