Local cyclist hits top form in gold spree

Local cyclist hits top form in gold spree

5 September 2012

LOCAL cycling club, La Lanterne Rouge, has every reason to be proud of their young

star, Hayley Priestley (inset), whose reputation as a fierce competitor is being whispered ever louder.

 In recent months, Hayley has taken the fitness established over a few years club riding to higher levels by competing with great success.

With such rapid improvement Hayley stepped up to compete in the Tour of Scotland, staged over the Easter holidays, with the Irish 2020 Olympic development team, a huge opportunity for her and her team-mates.

Competing against teams from England, Scotland and Wales was a great experience for Hayley and made her realise just how tough it is to compete successfully at bike racing.

With her confidence soaring and inner belief that she indeed has the capacity to one day compete at the highest level, training was intensified and increased to an average of 200 miles weekly.

Opportunities were now coming thick and fast and she was invited by Cycling Ulster 2012 to compete, along with two other girls from Northern Ireland, in the UK School Games at the Olympic velodrome in London.

In her own words this was an “amazing experience” enhanced by the fact that she was happy with her performance on the overall general classification, and along with the other young Irish athletes, made a lasting impression.

Following her London success, Hayley went international and was selected by Cycling Ireland to be part of the 2020 Talent team to compete at the Errigal International Youth Tour, held over the August bank holiday weekend.

This was the first international cycling tour in which Hayley had the privilege to represent her country.

Thankfully the race course suited Hayley’s style, as it was hilly, fast and tactical, and, despite the pressure she managed to finish a brilliant fourth overall in the general classification in her category with an impressive time and also was the top Irish girl finisher.

With hardly time to draw breath the Ulster Championships followed on Sunday, August 19, and with Hayley now in peak fitness and ready to blow them away she completed a fast time in the time trial, winning her category which gave her great confidence for the road race later that day in which she finished third overall and was again the leading girl.

Finally, the pinnacle of the racing year for all young Irish cyclists, the Irish Youth National Championships, were held the following weekend.

The first event was the Saturday morning time trial and Hayley, roared on by her dad Robin, blasted away at the start. She didn’t slow and won her first ever gold medal, and with it the title of U-16 Irish girls TT champion.

With the butterflies fluttering uncontrollably, Hayley tackled the 20 mile road race. Undeterred by the lashing rain, she was leading a group uphill when disaster struck and a crash resulted in her being hospitalised. Doctors carried out an ECG and some X-rays, and gave Hayley a clean bill of health bar a few bruised ribs and a sore back.

Next morning, against the advice of doctors and parents, she insisted on racing the Criterium, and managed to win another gold medal. What an achievement despite her setback.

With two gold medals around her neck, Hayley was jubilant for the rest of the weekend in the knowledge that all the hard work had paid off. She was grateful for the support of her club, La Lanterne Rouge CC, her family and especially her personal ‘Mr. Motivator’, her dad Robin.

Hayley would also like to thank all who have helped her this year, including the Downey family who helped coach and advise her in her cycling.

Think you could keep up with Hayley? If you would like to try why not join La Lanterne Rouge CC any Sunday morning for a wee spin.

The club meet at Brennan’s Garage, near Loughinisland, and leave about 9.30am before doing anywhere between forty and sixty miles throughout the local countryside.