By Caroline Martinez
Sara Ortiz has continued her winning run in the ‘StickyBottle.com - Joe Daly Women’s National League’, taking the second round at the Coombes-Connor Memorial in Drogheda last Sunday.
It was under a brief glimpse of sunshine that the thirty-strong field took to the start-line but the racers were soon battered by the elements.
Usher IRC took control of the bunch almost immediately, setting the pace as the torrential downpour of hail and rain started to fall on the field. These difficult conditions resulted in the bunch staying together for the first 15km despite many attempts by the Orwell and Usher teams to get away.
Orla Hendron (Orwell Wheelers) and Tonya Moran (U/A) were the first to break clear from the bunch shortly before the start of the second lap.
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They held a 50 second advantage for almost 25km before finally being caught on the third of four laps. Hendron continued to make a number of attacks putting the rest of the field under pressure.
League leader Ortiz then took matters in her own hands and sat at the front of the bunch, ensuring no further attacks got away for the last 15km. She showed her strength by bringing back Fiona Cooke (Marble City Cycles) in a late attempt at breaking away.
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Later, it was the turn of Fran Meehan (Tullamore) and Laura Banfield to increase the pace, stretching out the field. It was however unfortunate that the women’s group was neutralized twice on the final lap to let two different groups pass them within 4km of the finish.
The bunch held tight through the last few kms. Ortiz placed herself on the front as part of a four-woman line out for a sprint finish that also included Sandra Telford (Orwell) and Mandy Collie (Forme Coaching).
Knowledge of the finish among those who had ridden the race it in previous years helped define the finishing order. Sara Ortiz took another win, followed by Mandy Collie (Forme Coaching) after riding an aggressive race with Amy Brice (Phoenix) taking third in the race.
Sara Ortiz (Black Rose) keeps the pink leader jersey for another round.
Result
1st - Sara Ortiz (Black Rose)
2nd - Mandy Collie (Forme Coaching)
3rd - Amy Bryce (Phoenix)
4th - Mags Donnelly (Orwell Wheelers)
5th - Caroline Conway (Usher IRC)
6th - Anne Dalton (Orwell Wheelers)
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