As the dust settles on an exciting and action-packed 2024 racing season, it’s clear that this year will be remembered as a landmark one for women’s cycling in Ireland. From historic performances to groundbreaking initiatives that aim to further elevate the profile of women’s cycling, the past 12 months have been a pivotal moment in the growth of the sport.
In this review, we take a closer look at the key Irish performers, significant results, and the development pathways that are supporting the next generation of female cyclists right across the island!
Key performers: Breaking new ground
A historic achievement in domestic racing saw Mia Griffin become the first Irish rider in 11 years to win the Rás na mBan. Representing Das Hutchinson Brother UK, Griffin dominated her home event with two stage wins and held the magenta jersey throughout the race. Her overall victory, combined with wins in the Cycling Ireland Points Classification and Kilkenny County Council Best Irish Rider awards, came shortly after her Olympic track cycling debut in Paris.
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The victory was made even more impressive by maintaining a slim six-second advantage over Dutch rider Noor Dekker, with 2023 champion Manon de Boer completing the podium. The success of Irish women’s cycling was further highlighted by Caoimhe O’Brien securing the Sport Ireland Best Young Rider classification, a brilliant achievement.
Historic results: Breaking barriers
2024 will go down in history as a year where Irish women’s cycling truly began to break barriers. The 2024 UCI Road and Para-cycling World Championships in Zurich witnessed a historic day for Irish cycling as both national tandem bikes secured podium positions in the Women’s B Road Race.
Reigning world champions Katie-George Dunlevy with pilot Linda Kelly successfully defended their title with a commanding performance, while Josephine Healion and Eve McCrystal added to Ireland’s success on the 84.7km course. The race showcased exceptional tactical awareness from both Irish pairs, with Healion and McCrystal controlling the front for a significant portion, establishing a commanding lead, ultimately crossing the finish line with an impressive 1:23 advantage over their British rivals. The result was particularly poignant for McCrystal, who marked her final elite-level competition as a pilot with a medal-winning performance!
Lara Gillespie also made Irish cycling history at the 2024 Tissot UCI Track World Championships in Ballerup, Denmark, securing her first senior championship medal with a brilliant bronze in the Women’s Points Race. The Co. Wicklow rider demonstrated exceptional tactical awareness throughout the 80-lap contest, making her mark early with three points in the opening sprint before executing a decisive lap gain at the midway point that catapulted her into third place.
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Development pathways: Promoting female participation
The backbone of Irish women’s cycling’s recent success lies in its robust development programmes, which combine grassroots initiatives with professional pathways. From recreational riders to elite athletes, these initiatives have created an inclusive framework that supports cyclists at every level.
‘IT’S NOT A RACE’ campaign
Cycling Ireland’s influential ‘IT’S NOT A RACE’ campaign has successfully broadened the narrative around women’s cycling participation. Moving beyond competitive racing, the campaign showcases diverse cycling experiences, from community advocates to champions like Lara Gillespie and Orla Walsh, alongside rising talents Katie Turner, Lucy McClintock, and Summer Glynn.
Professional development programmes
The Women’s Coaching Pathway stands out as a collaborative initiative across multiple sports governing bodies. This cross-sport programme combines expertise from Athletics Ireland, Cycling Ireland, IABA, Rowing Ireland, and Triathlon Ireland, offering coaches comprehensive development opportunities in a supportive environment.
Specialised training initiatives
The pioneering Training Midlife Women Coaching Certificate, launched in partnership with The Well-HQ, addresses a critical gap in sports coaching. This gender-inclusive programme equips coaches with specialised knowledge for training midlife women athletes, promoting long-term participation in cycling and other endurance sports.
Leadership development
Through the Women in Sport Leadership Course, coordinated with Swim Ireland, Cycling Ireland has invested in developing female leaders within sports governance. The programme, led by sports consultants Lisa Clancy and Sarah O’Shea, focuses on building leadership capabilities within National Governing Bodies.
For more information on Cycling Ireland’s programmes and initiatives for female cyclists, head to https://www.cyclingireland.ie/get-involved/initiatives/women-in-sport/.
As we look to 2025 and beyond, the future of Irish women’s racing is looking brighter than ever. The next generation of cyclists is poised to build on the successes of 2024, and the continued development of Ireland’s grassroots programmes will ensure that the country remains a force to be reckoned with in the cycling scene.
Ready to learn more about some of the Irish women doing amazing things in cycling? We recently chatted to professional cyclist and National Champion Fiona Mangan to discuss her remarkable trajectory in the sport.
