Daire Feeley and Annalise Murphy were the big winners as the Des Hanlon Memorial kicked off the Road National Series with a bang in Co. Carlow on Sunday, March 24th.
Hosted by Carlow Road Cycling Club, the Des Hanlon Memorial's 43rd edition didn't disappoint as spectators and riders enjoyed some great racing along the exciting traditional course.
A bright start to the day saw the women's and men's races get off to a fast opening loop before the rain came down, making for some difficult conditions for riders, with some small crashes causing issues for riders in all races.
In the women's race, it was Murphy who dictated much of the day as she laid down the gauntlet throughout - attacking on some of the short punchy climbs to continuously put on the hurt and narrow down the field.
𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘀 📰
Daire Feeley And Annalise Murphy Claim Victory At Des Hanlon Memorial 🙌
Read the full report ⬇️https://t.co/uuaT23rZZE pic.twitter.com/ihFd9Zn1vL— Cycling Ireland (@CyclingIreland) March 24, 2024
As the race headed into the final 30km, Murphy's attacks saw the field whittle down and a split in the bunch saw her joined by Aoife O'Brien, Emma O'Brien, Jemma Speers and Tuva Mauland.
Last year's winner Caoimhe O'Brien and Orla Walsh were among those missing out in the split, as the leaders went on to fight for victory.
But it was Murphy who continued to apply the pressure and made a decisive move inside the final 15km to set up a sprint finish with Mauland as O'Brien and Speers chased just behind.
"A super tough race, but cold when it started raining. I was dressed very much in winter gear - which everyone was slagging me at the start about - but about an hour in I was feeling pretty smug with my overshoes and leggings on! It's a super tough race, I guess I had really good legs today and worked hard on the climbs to make sure everyone is working and attacking when I could," Murphy said after the race.
"I got away with one other rider with about 12km to go. At the finish it got pretty close because Aoife (O'Brien) and Jemma (Speers) caught back up and you never know in a sprint who's going to get it. I felt like I was the strongest out there today but that doesn't mean you're going to win - I was delighted to get across the line first."
Annalise Murphy tells us how the Women’s Race was won today at the Des Hanlon Memorial 👏
A great performance in a brilliant race! pic.twitter.com/o9hGLL2Vgp— Cycling Ireland (@CyclingIreland) March 24, 2024
Multiple junior riders competed in both races and were well amongst the action, with Phillip O'Connor and Kate Murphy finishing highest amongst Junior riders to take the Road National Series Leaders' Jerseys.
Feeley and Murphy also take the senior leaders' jerseys following their victories. The next round of the 2024 Road National Series takes place on April 28th at the Donal Crowley Memorial in Blarney, Co. Cork.
2024 Road National Series - Des Hanlon Memorial
Women's Race Results (100km)
1. Annalise Murphy - Longcourt Hotel - NCW Wheelers
2. Tuva Mauland - Un-Attached
3. Aoife O'Brien - Belco Van Eyck
4. Jemma Speers - North Down CC
5. Abi Conway - Westport Covey Wheelers Cycling Club
6. Elia Tutty - UCD Cycling Club
7. Ellen Ni Cleirigh - Longcourt Hotel - NCW Wheelers
8. Elena Wallace - Harps CC
Unplaced Junior: Kate Murphy - Sliabh Luachra Cycling Club
A1/A2 Race Results (144km)
1. Daire Feeley - All human/VeloRevolution Racing Team
2. George Peden - Team PB Performance
3. Philip O'Connor - Dungarvan Cycling Club (Highest placed Junior)
4. Leo Doyle - X-Speed United
5. Liam Crowley - UCD Cycling Club
6. Conn McDunphy - TEAM SKYLINE - Cadence
7. Patrick O'Loughlin - Panduit Carrick Wheelers
8. Ruairi Byrne - UCD Cycling Club
9. Gareth O'Neill - Athlete Nutrition Coach HD
10. Mark Dowling - All human/VeloRevolution Racing Team
