NATIONAL Road Series leader Eve McCrystal returns to an evolving domestic road scene this Sunday as Deenside Wheelers host Round 3 in Kilkenny.
The Garda CC star has kept a low profile since winning the first two rounds in quick succession, leaving gates open for those below her in the National Road Series table to improve.
Newcomers Orla Walsh (Scott-Orwell) and Kate Earlie (St Tiernan's CC) have taken their first road wins since the Nenagh Classic in April, Earlie landing multiple blows, as well as earning a joint lead in Leinster's Scott-Orwell Women's Criterium League with one race remaining.
On points, Walsh and Earlie have a gulf to cross to reach McCrystal and the two riders who have filled second and third in the first two rounds - Claire McIlwaine (Phoenix CC) and Katharine Smyth (Madigan CC), but their recent victories signal them as improving riders who could this weekend make the jump to sticking with the top three.
McIlwaine, the reigning National Road Series champion, has also been in winning form since Nenagh, and comes into Sunday's Deenside Cup having won the event last year too.
Characterised by a town centre fly-through, the long drag up Glenmagoo, and a long, technical descent into the finish, the Deenside Cup is in its fourth year.
It is run on a 35km circuit in Castlecomer, County Kilkenny, with Round 3 of the Women's National Road Series covering two laps of the course.
All races will start at staggered times from 12.15pm, the women's race going off last. Sign on open at 10.30am and close at 12noon in Erins Own GAA, Cannon Kearns Park, Kilkenny Road.
The Men's National Road Series Round 3 will take place on Sunday, May 13 at the iconic 60th Shay Elliott Memorial Race in County Wicklow.