A strenuous race programme means she has raced every weekend since August, but the extra effort has helped her to the U14 girls’ title at this weekend’s North of England Cyclo Cross Championships.
The 13-year-old pupil at the town’s Queen Elizabeth High School impressed to beat her rivals from the North-East, North-West and Yorkshire when the region’s top cyclists headed to York.
After a relatively slow start, Roisin found herself in third at the mid-way stage before making her move to clinch victory.
The teenager, who competes regularly in the national series, currently tops the North East series with three races remaining, and success at York has given her a huge confidence boost.
She said: “I have had some really good races this year and my national series is getting better, and everything just seems to be coming together and the hard work is paying off.
“I really didn’t think I would win at the weekend so I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was hoping for a podium finish but I never thought I’d win it.”
In addition to competing in cyclo cross, Roisin also competes on two wheels in mountain biking and road racing, and is considering a return to track racing!
Joining Roisin in the medals at the northern championships, fellow QEHS pupil and Derwentside Cycling Club member Ollie Draffan was third in the U16 boys’ race. Meanwhile, Allen Valley Velo’s Lucy Siddle finished fourth in the veteran 40 women’s class.
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