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Limerick cyclist Fiona Mangan double-win at National Road Championships
Limerick cyclist Fiona Mangan double-win at National Road Championships. Photo: Sean Rowe
Limerick cyclist Fiona Mangan of Cynisca Cycling wins gold in both the elite time trial and road race at the National Road Championships
Kildimo National School has led messages of congratulations to Limerick cyclist, Fiona Mangan of Cynisca Cycling who won gold in both the elite time trial and road race at the National Road Championships in Limerick.
Past pupil of Kildimo National School and then Salesian Secondary College in Pallaskenry, Fiona attributed her success to thorough preparation and the inspiration of competing on familiar roads with strong local support.
In the road race, she displayed exceptional skill by catching and overtaking Grace Reynolds, who had led solo for nearly 70 km. Fiona described her strategy of managing energy and making a decisive move on the final hill. The chasing group included notable competitors like Lara Gillespie, last year’s winner.
Speaking with Cycling Ireland following her win, Fiona said, “I’m still a bit overwhelmed. I knew I had good legs going into it and I really did study the course as a time trial, I came out here last week and did a good few runs of it. It just gives you that confidence then during the race. I’ve actually raced with some of the girls in Europe as well, like, over the years. So you know their strengths.”
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The cyclist noted Limerick had a special meaning for her and feels like a bit of a good luck charm, she said, “I always get good luck here. When I won the national series stage race in Newcastle West a few years ago, that gave me the confidence coming into the race.”
Reflecting on her achievements, Fiona expressed joy at her victories and looked forward to wearing the Irish champion’s jersey while racing abroad with her American team, Cynisca Cycling. Notably, in 2023 Fiona competed in the Vuelta Femenina in Spain, becoming the first Irish woman to do so. She also hoped for increased participation in future women’s races in cycling.
Fiona was a gaelic football player with Mungret Gaa in her early years before dipping her toes into triathlon and settling for competitive cycling in her mid-twenties starting with Greenmount Cycling Academy in Limerick.
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