Boot Inn League Race 1

Round one of the Boot Inn League was a 10 mile TT hosted by Orwell Wheelers, with the help of Danny and Joanne O Shea from Bray Wheelers.

While the conditions were not exactly perfect there was never any fear of the race being called off - and there was a great turn out of riders from the usual suspects to newbies. The two lap race against the clock was won by Heather Boyle from Ravens, with Roisin Kennedy (Lucan) second ahead of Caroline Ryan (Garda CC) in third place. Monica Marconi (Orwell), Geraldine Gill (Bohermeen) and Siobhan Jacob (U/A) completed the top 6.

Click here for all images from Race 1 in our photo gallery.

There was a great mix of old and new riders, with Orwell being particularly impressive comprising a third of the competitors! Monica Marconi consistently performs in the TT and put in a great performance to get 4th place. Former rower Caroline Ryan has recently switched her focus to the bike - scoring a 'podium finish' in her first time trial, I think this might be a first in the Boot Inn for Garda Cycling Club?

The Boot Inn League is a 6 race league which will be run every Wednesday from now (with the exception of the week of the Rás) until the end of May. Every rider who turns up is awarded 5 points, and extra points are awarded for those in the top 6. At the end of the league 5 out of 6 of the races will count towards the overall league ranking.

From next week on things will start getting interesting when the riders will be handicapped based on ability, and the group will be split into 3-4 groups. The weaker riders will be given a head start on the more experienced or stronger girls and normally everything comes together on the line, making it a very exciting race.

This league is open to all women from beginners to elite and the races will be between 15 and 20 miles long. Next weeks race will be fully coached, with an experienced coach riding around with each group giving tips on how to work together best to make the most out of their advantage. So this will be the perfect opportunity for those who are still a little nervous about bike racing!

Thanks to Orla Hendron from Orwell for running round 1, with her Orwell assistant Aideen Collard. Thanks to Derek for helping with the marshalling, to Joanne and Danny O'Shea for travelling all the way from Bray to do the time keeping, and to Willie Ryan for his expertise in bike holding! As always thanks to Brendan Culleton for capturing all the magic moments out there!!

RESULTS

RANKING AFTER ROUND 1