Katharine is CI Rider of the Month!!!

Saturday, April 28, 2018
Congratulations to club member Katharine Smyth who has been awarded Cycling Ireland’s Female rider of the Month.

The March winners in the Aqua Blue Sport Cycling Ireland Monthly Awards are Mary Concannon (Volunteer of the Month for March), Conor Hennebry (Male Rider of the Month for March) and Katharine Smyth (Female Rider of the Month for March). The winners were nominated by Cycling Ireland members, with a selection panel using the nominations and rationale to decide on the final winners.


In 2018 Cycling Ireland introduced new monthly awards to recognise the achievements and commitment of Irish cyclists. The winners in the three new categories, female cyclist of the month, male cyclist of the month and volunteer of the month, will form the shortlist for the Annual Awards next November.

The Female Rider of the Month for March is Katharine Smyth. The Ballymena Road Club racer has had a phenomenal start to the racing season, winning the Des Hanlon in an impressive manner.


"I had only one race before the Des Hanlon, so I wasn’t sure where my form was before the race,” Smyth explained. "I was shocked at how well I went, I didn’t think it would split until a lot later in the race, so it was a long time to be out by myself!”


The Des Hanlon was the opening round of the Cycling Ireland National Road Series and is one of the toughest road races each year. Smyth attacked early in the race, enjoying a significant lead throughout the race.


"I was two-and-a-half-minutes ahead at one stage, but then it came back to a minute and a half, so I had to go again! I was seeing stars for the last 10km, there was no let up. But I love that, the harder the course the better.”


Considering the rest of the season the Ballymena Road Club rider who is currently leading the Cycling Ireland National Road Series (NRS) rankings said "My big goal is to get a top three in the NRS, it should be achievable. I’d also like a podium in the National Championships. I have two young kids – nine and eleven, so I’m not sure yet about Rás na mBan in September.”

https://youtu.be/lR0GCXC7WqE