ANGELA Jones started out in front and never let anyone get by her to win the Toireasa Gallagher Women’s Handicap on Sunday ahead of 18 other competitors.
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Jones started off the front handicap marker’s spot and ended up holding off her fellow co-marker Robyn Partridge to take out the annual Bathurst Cycling Club feature.
Gallagher herself finally managed to snare a podium spot in her race as she flashed home from towards the rear of the field along with Emily Watts, who was fourth. Jette McKellar got by Clair Byrne late to round out the top five.
For the third successive year, Kirsten Howard recorded the fastest time on the day, but having to give a large start saw her out of contention for a top 10 finish.
While a small group formed behind to chase down the leading two, their start proved too much to reel back.
Jones had spent a year and a half away from the bike due to injury, but couldn’t have asked for a happier return.
The race’s namesake achieved her best result and was thrilled for how the day turned out for herself and those ahead of her.
“For her [Jones’] first day back she couldn’t have asked for a better start. Robyn just turns up and rides regardless of her result and for her to get second, I’m really happy with that,” Gallagher said.
“I’m not too concerned where I place in it but I had a good bunch today. We all got caught together on St John’s Road and I think that competitive edge in me got me I think, and I couldn’t hold back.”
Gallagher was thrilled with field size that tackled the course.
“It was a fantastic day because there were five new riders who came out, which is one of the biggest things I wanted to promote with this day,” she said.
“I wanted to encourage those women to come out and have a ride. Being the women’s only race is a great opportunity for them. Having 18 for this race is the biggest we’ve ever had for our club race. It was everything I needed and more.”
Good conditions made it too hard, according to Gallagher, for back marker Howard to deal with the big start she gave to the winners.
“She had it hard. It’s tough to handicap her because she’s such a talented rider. She’s an A-grader so she deserves a hard mark,” she said.
“It must have just been a day where everyone had a good chance, and with the good weather it just makes the handicaps a bit easier for the middle bunches to work well. That made Kirsten’s job to get up a bit tougher today.”