Doogan Begins Irish Euro Assault
Donegal's Ciara Doogan got Ireland's challenge in the European Road Championships under way when she finished 29th in the Women's Junior Time Trial at Tartu, Estonia this afternoon.
Fourth off the start ramp in the 14.4km test, Doogan was quickly into her rhythm on the relatively flat 'out and back' course, setting third fastest time at the first intermediate check point.
The headwind first half of the course demanded a greater expenditure of energy to the turn, at which point the Errigal CC rider was fourth fastest of the riders to that point.
Racing home with a tailwind, Doogan stopped the clocks in 21 minutes 27 seconds, a time good enough for an eventual 29th fastest on her first outing in the European Road Championships.
Afterwards team coach Frank O'Leary paid tribute to Doogan's performance.
"Ciara gave absolutely everything today and kept nothing back," he said. "She went out very, very strong, possibly a little too hard and suffered on the way back.
"It's her first year at this level and she's on a very steep learning curve. She'll have benefited massively from being part of this environment. It's her second major championships in a few weeks and she's here to continue her development.
"With the potential she's displayed this year, it will really stand to her in her second year as a junior. She's already looking forward to Saturday's road race where she'll be on her own against a number of well organised full squads from many of the established cycling nations and she'll take a lot from the experience."
Ireland's men are in action tomorrow, with former European Junior silver medallist Ryan Mullen and Eddie Dunbar riding the 31.5km Under-23 Time Trial in the morning followed by Simon Tuomey and Michael O'Loughlin in the Junior Time Trial in the afternoon.
Mullen is due to start at 9.28am Irish time with Dunbar away at 9.52am. In the afternoon, Tuomey begins the Junior TT at 1.32pm with O'Loughlin following him off the start ramp at 2.01pm.
For full results and details of live streaming of events see the event website: http://www.roadec2015.ee/
Irish Team for 2015 European Road Championships, Tartu, Estonia
Women's Junior
Ciara Doogan - Time Trial and Road Race
Men's U23
Ryan Mullen - Time Trial and Road Race
Eddie Dunbar - Time Trial and Road Race
Daniel Stewart - Road Race
Seán McKenna - Road Race
Men's Junior
Darragh O'Mahoney - Road Race
Michael O'Loughlin - Time Trial and Road Race
Simon Tuomey - Time Trial and Road Race
Support Team
Neil Martin (DS)
Kurt Bogaerts (DS)
Frank O’Leary (Coach)
Stacey Kelly (Soigneur)
Michel Bogaerts (Mechanic)