Hickey Claims the First Title
Orwell Ladies League Round 6, Sandyford Industrial Estate - Tuesday 18 May
The first year of the Orwell Ladies League was a great success. 53 ladies of all ages and abilities, representing 15 different cycling clubs, experienced some fantastic racing. The league comprised of a time trial and five criterium rounds, which enabled riders to develop their racing skills and the improved handling and cornering were evidenced by the faster lap times each week. The criterium format also made the races easier to follow and the league attracted a loyal following of spectators throughout.
Orwell Ladies League A race start
The League would not have been possible without the goodwill and kind assistance from the Orwell members, too many to name, who rallied round to help with all the hard work that goes with running such an event. The league was also greatly facilitated by the generosity of our sponsors, Wheelworx Bike & Tri Store, Joe Daly’s Cycles, the Women’s Commission, Women in Sport, Winning Solutions and sponsors of the raffle prizes - the proceeds of which will go towards running a Youth League. We wish to thank everyone who raced, supported and helped out with the league and made it such a success. Also, particular thanks to Brendan Culleton who kept us entertained with his excellent photographs.
Despite the rain again, the final round ended on a high last week with a barbeque, raffle and prize-giving in the Blue Light Pub. Although Joanna Hickey of Usher IRC had done enough to bag the league by Round 5, there was a big field of elite riders for the final round in the A Division. This was won in fine style by mountain-biker, Melanie Spath of MAD, racing her first crit. Orla Hendron of Orwell put in another fighting performance for second place in the final round and second place overall. Adding to her win in Round 3, Sandra Fitzgerald of Lucan rode another blinder to secure third place and third place overall. Her performance also won her the special Most Improved Rider Award. Joanna Hickey put in some great performances including a second place in the opening TT and two wins to secure her well-deserved league title and we wish her all the best on the National High Performance Squad this year.
Likewise in the B Division, young talent, thirteen year old Rachel Kaye-Mellor of Orwell dominated the series and had done enough to win the B Division title and also the Best Young Rider Award. In the final round, Eithne Ní Chinnéide of Bray took her second win. Newcomer, Wendy Barry of Orwell added a second place to her previous placings including a win to secure second place overall. Underage rider, Ashling Fitzpatrick of Slipstream made the long journey from Gorey every week to race in the league which paid off with third place in the final round and the Most Aggressive Rider Award. Another neophyte, Anne Dalton of Orwell took third place overall in the B Division. The Best Newcomer Award went to Charlotte McDonald of Orwell who only took up training and racing a few short months ago and following her excellent TT time, was the only newcomer to race the A Division. There were many other excellent performances throughout the League, too numerous to mention here and we hope there will be many more in the years to come of the Orwell Ladies League.
B Race about to start
Round 6 Results
A Race
1. Melanie Spath (MAD)
2. Orla Hendron (Orwell)
3. Sandra Fitzgerald (Lucan)
4. Joanna Hickey (Usher)
5. Jenny McCauley (Bray)
6. Gillian McDarby (Usher)
Prime 1: Grace McNally (Swords)
Prime 2: Laura Banfield (Swords)
B Race
1. Eithne Ní Chinnéide (Bray)
2. Wendy Barry (Orwell)
3. Ashling Fitzpatrick (Slipstream)
4. Anne Dalton (Orwell)
5. Deirdre Feeney (Unattached)
6. Rachel Kaye-Mellor (Orwell)
Prime 1: Aoife Sheridan (Orwell)
Prime 2: Ashling Fitzpatrick (Slipstream)
League Placings Overall
Division A
1. Joanna Hickey (Usher)
2. Orla Hendron (Orwell)
3. Sandra Fitzgerald (Lucan)
4. Roisin Kennedy (Lucan)
5. Heather Boyle (Ravens)
6. Andrea Fagan (Sundrive)
Division B
1. Rachel Kaye-Mellor (Orwell)
2. Wendy Barry (Orwell)
3. Anne Dalton (Orwell)
4. Ashling Fitzpatrick (Slipstream)
5. Deirdre Feeney (Un-Attached)
6. Sinead Cailleau (South Dublin CC)
Special Awards
Most Improved Rider: Sandra Fitzgerald (Lucan)
Best Young Rider: Rachel Kaye-Mellor (Orwell)
Best Newcomer: Charlotte MacDonald (Orwell)
Most Aggressive Rider: Ashling Fitzpatrick (Slipstream)
Full Results
Division AWe would encourage anyone who raced this league, or indeed is interested in taking up racing, to consider the Wicklow Ladies League beginning next Tuesday 1st June 2010 at 7.30pm and running every Tuesday for five weeks. For full details, please see www.womenscycling.ie.
