Rio Olympics star Annalise Murphy claims second victory in Road National Series after stunning 35km solo ride

Annalise Murphy continued her dominance of the domestic cycling scene with a stunning solo victory in round two of the Road National Series.

The Olympic medallist in sailing in Rio 2016, who also won the opening round, made her move in the Kay Stratton Memorial on the Nadd Climb before racing clear and riding solo for 35km to win by over three minutes.

Mary Corless and Jennifer Neenan completed the podium in second and third, respectively, in the Blarney Cycling Club-promoted event.

Murphy’s performance solidifies her lead in the senior women’s category following her victory in last month’s Des Hanlon Memorial.

As well as defending the jersey, Murphy is looking forward to racing in other disciplines, such as cross-country mountain bike and track, in the coming months:

“[It was] a great race today and a great course, really nice to have a tailwind for the final 30km. It was a light women’s field, there’s lots of women racing in Ireland and we just need to get them doing these races, so I’ll definitely be getting more people to get into races.

“I got away on the climb and ended up doing a near 40km time trial on my own – which I haven’t done in a long time! I’m feeling good at the moment and I’m just trying to enjoy it.

“I’m actually going to do a little mountain biking at the cross-country national series. I’m looking forward to TT national championships, road national championships and also on the track. I feel like I’m doing loads of cycling and probably don’t have the time to do it all. I’m enjoying it.”

In the men’s event, the Donal Crowley Memorial, Paul Kennedy attacked from the breakaway, also on the Nadd Climb, and held off the chase to take victory.

George Peden attacked inside the final 2km to take second and also grab hold of the Open Overall Leaders Jersey, while Cian Keogh took third.