The look that says "I've done it!". Lydia Boylan rode an aggressive and strong championship race and will make a fantastic champion (Photo: Stephen McMahon - Sportsfile; homepage photo www.jimmymcelroy.com)
By Brian Canty
Lydia Boylan said winning the women's national road race championships ranks with anything she's done in the past.
The WNT rider beat off the challenge of one of the strongest fields in recent years on Saturday to throw herself right into contention for a place on the road team for the UCI World Championships in September.
"I couldn't be happier," said the new champion.
"I was confident I'd good form but I knew I had to ride how I always ride and not get too carried away with watching others.
"I tried to look after myself as best I could, especially on the first two laps.
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"I tried to stay close to the front because there were a few technical corners and I didn't want to get caught behind a crash or anything. Just staying out of trouble was the key."
Lydia Boylan was clearly very moved to have won the national road title; a crown she said there was something special about (Photo: Sean Rowe)
As the kilometres ticked down, Boylan knew it was time to act.
"I think going through the town with two laps to go, Olivia Dillon put the hammer down," recalled the eventual winner.
"She really put the pace on and that made the initial selection.
"Twelve of us got away and started working. But I started thinking the group was too big.
"I wanted to keep the pressure on and I felt the group had a few riders we could drop. So I attacked, hoping a few would come with me.
"They let me dangle out there and I thought if they start looking at each other then who knows what might happen."
Looking delighted with her win flanked by runner-up Lydia Gourlay and bronze medal winner Olivia Dillon (Photo: Sean Rowe)
Indeed, Boylan surged clear and began to pull out time, though there was still two laps to go and the strongest riders in the field were chasing.
"I realised I was on my own for 10k but I was caught by five from behind.
"I was so glad; I'd burnt a few matches on my own but we started rolling through.”
Even though the pace settled with everyone working when she was caught, Boylan said having been away for a prolonged period on her own that she then felt vulnerable in the next section of the race.
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"My big fear at that point was there'd be attacks and I'd be unable to follow,” she said, commenting as honestly in her post race interview as she had ridden in the event.
"But we started working together for a lap and I recovered."
Boylan wins the sprint very well in the end; her supporters in the distance already running up the road to congratulate her just as she was still coming over the line (Photo: Sean Rowe)
So far so good for Boylan; but then the nerves really began to set in when it was six of the race's strongest all together, and all looking at each other.
"Siobhan (Horgan - Aquablue) put the power down and put up a good pace at the front.
"(Olivia) Dillon followed through but we were all watching and tapping along. I was telling myself ‘stay calm, stay calm’.
"Then Eve McCrystal (Garda CC) went and Fiona (Meade - Fearless Femme) went after her. I just stayed calm as we took that last left-hander before the finish.
"I was fourth around the corner, ideally I needed to be second but I didn't take the best of lines.
"I saw the finish, put the head down and just went for it. It was amazing to cross the line first.
"It's probably the race I've put myself under most pressure for, more so than any other race.
Boylan is now a regular fixture on the Irish track team. Above, third in line in team pursuit formation (Photo: Guy Swarbrick)
"I could barely stomach food. I wanted it too much, I thought.
“So to win is just disbelief, really, especially after being away by myself for a good part of the race.
"Olivia and Fiona and all of the six riders left were strong enough to win so to do it while under pressure, especially after last year (not making it back as she was at a national track camp), everything just fell into place and I'm thrilled.
"I always say I'm incredibly proud of my track career and having ridden internationally but there's something about winning the national title.
“Ever since riding it four years ago, I wanted to win so to pull it off is unbelievable."
Boylan will turn her focus back to the track but said riding the World Championships in the US in September is also a huge goal.
"Track takes precedence now, for the Europeans. But the World Road Race Championships are something I always said I'd love to do.
"It would be a massive ambition and I'll jump at it if the chance arose, but I know track takes priority."
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