The presence in Omagh of a number of top women absent from the National Time Trial Championships last year means Caroline Ryan will need to be on her toes to defend her crown this evening, Thursday.
Fresh from having competed in the time trial and road race for Ireland at the inaugural European Games in Baku, Azerbaijan, last week Caroline Ryan is favourite to take the women’s race at the National Time Trial Championships this evening.
However, some of the heaviest hitters of the modern era are back in the field after their absence last year, meaning Ryan will need to be at her best to keep her crown.
Absent from the TT field is Fiona Meade; the full time US-based reigning road race champion opting to put all of her efforts into retaining that title on Saturday.
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A good ride may bring international selection later in the year including for the World Championships.
With defending TT champion Ryan having whipped herself into shape specifically for the road TT in Baku, she will look to carry that form into this evening’s decider.
Twelve months ago she was pushed a little closer than she may have liked, with UK-based Lauren Creamer (Pearl Izumi Sport) coming home just 20 seconds down in the 52 minute race.
There were just nine starters in Westmeath, with National Cyclocross Champion Francine Meehan of Aquablue coming home in 3rd place, some 2:11 down on Ryan’s winning time.
The champion said after that outing she was not overly confident of winning because she had been focussed on gym work and track training towards qualifying for the Rio Olympics next year.
Olivia Dillon is a four-time winner of the TT title and has claimed one road race victory. Can she add a sixth road title to her palmares in Omagh? (Photo: Stephen McMahon - Sportsfile)
And while Ryan’s main focus remains the track, the fact she has been preparing on the road of late for Baku means this evening’s championship race, on what has been described as a rolly and exposed course, comes at just the right time for her.
All three medallists from last year are set to line out this evening in a 15-rider field that includes some top names absent last year.
Former road and TT national champion Olivia Dillon (Visit Dallas Cycling) had a nightmare championships last year, having travelled from her US base to ride.
Her TT bike set-up was adjudged to be in breach of the UCI’s rules and she decided not to start rather than set about changing her position in the shot time available.
Just two days later the women’s road race was postponed to September when a fatal car accident just off the course meant the race could not go ahead.
But Dillon, who has been road race champion once and TT title winner four times, is still one of Ireland’s very strongest riders.
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She won a stage of An Post Rás na mBan last September and was the only elite women selected to represented Ireland at the World Championships in Spain.
And while she withdrew from the team citing fatigue after a long season on the pro circuit in the US, she has shown some very good form already this year.
Siobhan Horgan riding Rás Mumhan at Easter. She will hope to take a medal out of these championships (Photo: Maura Lynch Moriarty)
Last month am aggressive ride by Dillon carried her to a podium finish at the Tour of the Gila; a major international stage race which forms part of the UCI’s America Tour.
If she is feeling good this evening, her mix of power and experience can secure a sixth elite road title.
Also down to start this evening is Mel Spath (Unattached) who is making her way back to competition after injury.
She took the road race title in 2012 and 2013 and won silver in the time trial on both occasions.
Her form is an unknown quantity but she has been racing of late and a rider with her class is always capable of pulling a huge performance out of the bag when the pressure is on.
Also set to compete today is Siobhan Horgan of Aquablue, who said a couple of seasons ago she was retiring but is now firmly back in the game.
She won the TT crown in Kerry back in 2004 and more recently was 3rd, behind Dillon and Spath respectively, in Cahir in 2012. She has also won the road title five times; most recently in Emyvale in 2011.
Another woman who can make an impression and on her day take a medal from tonight’s test is international rider Eve McCrystal.
She won bronze at the championships in Carlingford two years ago behind Ryan and Spath respectively and is a serious proposition this time around.
Women's start times
60 Judith Russell Phoenix CC 6:25pm
59 Joanne Regan Termoneeny Cycling Club 6:26
58 Lisa Cameron Team Madigan C.C. 6:27
57 Evan Bartley Lakeland 6:28
56 Karen Hull Phoenix CC 6:29
55 Eileen Burns Ballymena Road Club 6:31
54 Julie White Team Aquablue 6:33
53 Therese Smyth Phoenix CC 6:35
52 Melanie Späth Un-Attached Leinster 6:37
51 Siobhán Horgan Team Aquablue 6:39
50 Olivia Dillon Visit Dallas Cycling p/b Noise4Good 6:41
49 Eve Mc Crystal Garda Cycling Club 6:43
48 Francine Meehan Team Aquablue 6:45
47 Lauren Creamer Pearl Izumi Sports Tours International 6:47
46 Caroline Ryan Garda Cycling Club 6:49
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