Sailing superstar Murphy is Queen of the road

THE impressive Annalise Murphy, and Paul Kennedy’s daring attack, were the headlines from a thrilling day of racing at round two of the Road Cycling National Series.

Blarney Cycling Club played host as riders from all over Ireland competed in the Donal Crowley Memorial (A1/2 & Junior) as well as the Kay Stratton Memorial (Senior & Junior Women) along the roads outside Blarney.

Murphy made her decisive move on the Nadd Climb, the biggest climb of the day, soloing to an impressive victory – racing the final 35km on her own.

Part of the day’s main breakaway in the Donal Crowley Memorial, Kennedy attacked on the Nadd Climb descent and held off the chase to take victory.

With the Kay Stratton Memorial race staying together in the opening 50km, it was Murphy who drove the pace up the Nadd Climb.

The Sailing Olympic medalist found herself alone over the top of the climb and kept up an infernal pace on the descent and final 35km to build a lead of more than three minutes.

Mary Corless and Jennifer Neenan completed the podium in second and third, respectively, finishing strongest of a group of five chasers that also included junior overall leader Kate Murphy, Nicola Lynch and Abi Conway.

Annalise Murphy’s performance solidifies her lead in the Senior Women’s category, following her victory in last month’s Des Hanlon Memorial.

‘A great race today and a great course, really nice to have a tailwind for the final 30km. It was a light field, there’s lots of women racing in Ireland and we just need to get them doing these, so I’ll definitely be getting more people to get into races,’ said Murphy.