Westport’s Abi Conway victorious in prestigious Newry Three Day cycle

A 20-year old Westport woman who only took up cycling in recent years emerged from the prestigious Newry Three Day cycle race with no fewer than three victories.

Having seized the race lead by winning Stage 2 in a sprint from a six-rider group, Abi Conway won the final race equal on time with some very strong riders to hold onto the leader’s jersey convincingly after 93 kilometres of racing.

From a 16-rider field, about ten cyclists were left standing as the finish neared, with just six riders fighting it out on the line by the finish.

Conway, a member of Covey Wheelers Westport Cycling Club, also came third in the U-23 nationals in recent weeks.

She is a past student of Sacred Heart Secondary School in Westport and is currently studying in the University of Limerick, where she is trying to set up a cycling club.

Padraic Furlong, Chairman of Covey Wheelers Westport Cycling Club, praised Conway following her win.

“She trains very hard, you would always see her out on the bike, she’s putting a lot of time in and effort and it’s paying off. She is getting results,” Furlong told The Mayo News yesterday (Monday).

“It’s a big race to win nationally. She’ll be a marked rider for the next number of events to see out the season,” he added.

“She is riding at a very competitive level in the country…she is riding with some of the top girls in the country.”

The reaction to her win has been very well received among the members of Covey Wheelers Westport Cycling Club

“We just really got behind Abi. She is a lovely girl, she is really nice. She is a credit to the mother and father Robert and Sharon. She is always smiling. It’s just great to see someone like that putting so much effort into a sport and actually coming out on top on the national scene.”