A BIG race anniversary calls for a big performance.
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That’s what Kirsten Howard delivered on Sunday when she took out the 10th annual Toireasa Gallagher Women’s Handicap from scratch.
Howard picked up a second cup triumph to go with her first win in 2010.
The win was impressive considering Howard gave up as much as 16 minutes to some riders over the 25 kilometre race.
Howard started as the lone scratch marker and rode through the whole field by the Newbridge turn point, where there was almost a third of the race still to be done.
“You can never really discount anybody at that point because the road coming back from the Newbridge turn off is very fast,” Howard said.
“There was also a tailwind too, which was unusual, and that aids the people behind you.
“It’s always hard to gauge how you’re going in these sorts of races. The course was a bit different this year with the addition of a hill, so that adds an interesting element.
“Even though you go slowly up the hill you can make it all back up on the way down. You can never be certain how you’re race is playing out.”
Howard said she was thrilled to find win number two in the popular event.
“It’s always something I aim to try and get to each year to help promote women’s cycling in the region,” she said.
“Having someone like Toireasa in the club, who is a great athlete and gives so much back to the club, means so much to everyone here.”
The windy conditions ended up offering a helping hand to the back markers.
The three minute block ahead of Howard – consisting of Jill Harris, Donna Scott and Gallagher – crossed for second, third and fourth respectively at the St Johns Road finish.
At one stage the three-strong group looked like winning hopes.
On the quarry hill the group broke apart when Harris surged ahead to chase down 14-year-old Kalinda Robinson (four minutes), who has been in top form.
However, what would have been a strong duo splintered apart when a mechanical issue forced Robinson to abandon.
Harris managed to stay away from her co-markers for the remainder of the race, taking the runner-up spot by just 15 seconds.
The front maker, Robyn Partridge (16 minutes), produced plenty of pace to throw down an early challenge to the field.
Partridge was looking certain for a top five finish until she was caught with only five kilometres to go by Rosemary Withford and Fran Walker (6 minutes).
Withford claimed the final top five spot by just 11 seconds ahead of co-marker Walker.