McCrystal on her Nenagh win: I went to stand up but I couldn't
Eve McCrystal said the Visit Nenagh Classic took a huge amount out of all involved (Photo: John Coleman)
With winner of the men’s race Mark Dowling almost collapsing after the Visit Nenagh Classic on Sunday, the women’s victor has revealed she was in much the same condition.
Paralympic gold medallist Eve McCrystal came away with the spoils after having also won the opening round of the national league at the Des Hanlon in Carlow last month.
At her most recent triumph she again saw off Katharine Smith (Team Madigan) at the end of the contest.
They had been breakaway companions in Carlow and were again together off the front in Nenagh.
They pressed forward from an initial breakaway of four that also included Scott-Orwell’s Orla Walsh and Claire McIlwaine of Phoenix CC.
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And Eve McCrystal said she rode so hard her usual kick was simply absent when she reached for it at the finish in the two-up sprint.
“It was myself and Katharine going into the finish then and when I went to stand up, I couldn't. Neither of us could,” she said.
The Garda CC rider, a welcome addition to the road scene once again after international track commitments, said the race was a great occasion.
“I suppose the weather helped some, and I was in good form starting off,” she said.
“Everything stayed together to the first climb. Katharine set the pace there, and over the top of it there was four of us together.
“Katharine, myself, Claire and Orla; we worked really well together until the second climb.
“Then Orla dropped, that left three of us. We worked together again and then on the last climb Claire came off.
“I couldn't let Katharine attack me on that climb, so I rode hard and kept the pace high.
“I really, really enjoyed that race. It was a tough race, it was up and down - just what I like.”
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