Irish champ Lydia Boylan blasts to first UCI pro win in Spain
Lydia Boylan has taken an incredible win on the pro stage in Spain, her first in a UCI-ranked race (Photo: Stephen McMahon - Sportsfile)
Lydia Boylan has taken her first victory in a UCI-ranked her and the best result for Irish women’s road racing in many years.
The Dubliner has won the final stage of the Setmana Ciclista Valenciana, a UCI 2.2 ranked race.
The Irish national champion escape on her own at the end of the 96km stage in Valencia and impressively held off the main field to win by three seconds.
The stage around Valencia consisted of four laps of a large flat circuit, with Boylan proving she can survive and thrive at this level.
Her Team WNT outfit is now a pro squad after securing a UCI licence during the off season.
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Today’s win by Boylan, who retained her national road title in Kilcullen, Co Kildare, last July is the first victory for Team WNT since stepping up to the pro ranks.
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She beat Kelly Druyts (Sport Vlaanderen – Etixx) into 2nd place today.
And Boylan’s team mate Katie Archibald was 3rd; a gold medal winner in Rio in the team pursuit and European omnium and individual pursuit champion.
In 4th place behind Boylan was Giorgia Bronzini (Wiggle High5) who has been world road race champion twice.
The victory is a major boost for Boylan personally but also for her team which has been looking.
And while the team has taken some podium finishes already this season, Boylan's is their first win.
More to follow.
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