Photos and info courtesy of top cycling photographer Jean Knop (Brussels) friend and follower of the Belgian Project
The Invitation women’s UCI 1.15 criterium in Oetingen, near the Capital Brussels last Saturday saw 3 Irish ladies in action. The champion of Ireland Alice Sharpe (N ° 9, in the champion jersey) Imogen Cotter (N ° 21, in the black Redant jersey with black helmet and white glasses and shoes) and Michelle Geoghegan (N ° 45 in black with white shoes). Alice and Imogen have been in the lead for almost the entire race with 3 other girls. Michelle had a creditable race in the first chasing group. In the later stages of the 70km which had 35 laps, Jolien D’Hoore and Ann-Sophie Duyck joined the leaders (two top riders of Belgian women’s cycling). With five they lapped the peloton and Jolien D’Hoore was the fastest on the line with the Irish Champ Alice 4th and Imogen 5th. Michelle finished in the next bunch (no place available due to no results on line) This is a great promotion for our women’s cycling and proved that they can compete with the best in Belgium and further afield. So well done girls!! Here some photos send by Jean and a wee request ” Jean is a collector of signed photographs of pro riders, he is looking for some signed prints of the Irish pros such as Sam Bennet, Daniel Martin, Nico Roche, Sean Kelly, and Stephen Roche or any other. Can anyone help him with this, he would be immensely grateful for some hard copies and can be sent to Dany (address available) which I would forward to Jean”
