Irishwoman takes morale-boosting win over GB rivals

At WattShop TT, Kelly Murphy beats the track rivals she's due to face off against at the Glasgow World Championships

Irish track squad member Kelly Murphy took a morale-boosting victory in the WattShop two-stage time trial in Staffordshire last weekend, beating her British rivals in the 10 and 25-mile events.

The 33-year-old rides for the Irish national team despite being raised near Birmingham and forms part of their team pursuit squad. She came up against GB track squad member Neah Evans in Saturday’s first stage on an out and back 10-mile course including a few short climbs.

Murphy posted a winning time of 21-20 on the course, which was slowed by road resurfacing work, finishing 16 seconds ahead of Evans while veteran Chris Murray (Army Cycling) was third.

The following day GB athlete and Women’s World Tour professional Elinor Barker joined the line-up, but it was Murphy who triumphed again, stopping the clock in 58-40 some 16 seconds ahead of Barker with Evans in third.

“On the track it’s a given that they’re going to beat me, but today it went in my favour,” said Murphy. “I’ve never been on the British team so they’re just another competitor as far as I’m concerned.”