O'Brien eyes bigger heights after terrific Rás na mBan

At just 22 years of age, Caoimhe O’Brien has already established herself as one of Ireland’s brightest young cycling talents. The Mullingar native delivered a standout performance in the recent Rás na mBan, Ireland’s premier women’s race, finishing fifth overall and claiming the coveted Best Young Rider jersey.

She was also on the short-list for this year’s Olympics and with the World Championships in Switzerland on the horizon, O’Brien’s career is rapidly accelerating.

The journey road to this point is one lined by determination, resilience, and the support of her family and community.

Caoimhe’s story begins in Mullingar, and she then grew up in the quiet village of Multyfarnham, where she and her sister Aoife pursued their childhood passion. They first took to cycling at a young age, and joined Lakeside Wheelers, in Mullingar. “I started with Lakeside Wheelers when I was about 11, and I’ve been racing since the age of 13,” Caoimhe said. “It was something we could do together as a family, and the club were so supportive from the beginning.”

What began as a casual pursuit quickly turned competitive, as both Caoimhe and Aoife demonstrated natural talent and a love for the sport. The sisters went on to win national and European titles in their youth, Caoimhe representing Ireland at the European Youth Olympics in Hungary in 2017, and Aoife competing in Azerbaijan in 2019.

It was at those international competitions that Caoimhe first realised cycling could become more than just a hobby. “When we went to the European Youth Olympics – that was the first breakthrough. It hit me that this could be a profession,” she says. From that moment, Caoimhe’s ambition solidified, leading her on a path that would take her far beyond the roads of Westmeath.

Leaving Lakeside Wheelers, Caoimhe sought out new challenges, and moved abroad to race with international teams. Belgium, with its deep cycling culture and high standard of competition, became an important training ground for the young Irish rider. “It was a huge learning experience for me,” Caoimhe said. “The level of racing is high, and it really pushes you to improve. I got some good results there, which eventually led to me signing with Das-Hutchinson Brother UK.”

This year, she began racing in February with her new team, travelling the world to compete at the highest level. It’s a demanding lifestyle, but one she embraces fully. “Cycling is a tough sport. You have to be all-in, physically and mentally. The races are gruelling, the travel can be exhausting, and there’s constant pressure to perform. But I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

BEST U23 PERFORMER

Her commitment paid off in the 2024 edition of the Rás na mBan, on September 4-8. The five-day, six-stage race, based in Kilkenny, covers more than 400km of challenging terrain. It draws some of the best female cyclists from around the world, this year riding for 22 teams from nine countries.

The O’Brien sisters were a focal point for local fans, and both Caoimhe and Aoife entered the race in stellar form.

Stage 1, a circuit around Kilkenny, set the tone for the week, as Caoimhe finished third and Aoife fifth behind their friend and rival, Irish Olympian Mia Griffin, who would go on to win the general classification. “That first stage was really fast-paced,” Caoimhe said. “We knew Mia would be strong, but I was happy to finish on the podium and get the week off to a good start.”

Stage 2 would prove to be the defining moment of O’Brien’s race. It featured an ascent into the Slieve Bloom Mountains, including the infamous 7km climb known as ‘The Cut’. It’s a stage designed to test the physical and mental fortitude of every rider, and for Caoimhe, it was a chance to show her climbing prowess. “I love climbing, and I knew if I stayed with the leaders, I’d have a shot at the stage win,” she said.

True to her word, Caoimhe rode a tactically astute race, keeping pace with the lead group throughout the climb. In the final metres, she surged ahead, out-sprinting Mia Griffin to take her first Rás na mBan stage victory.

“That win in Mountrath was special,” Caoimhe said. “Everything came together perfectly; to win a stage in such a prestigious race was a dream come true.”

Aoife wasn’t far behind, finishing seventh on the stage and maintaining her position in the top 10 overall. The sisters continued to perform consistently throughout the week, Aoife finishing fourth on Stage 3 and Caoimhe sixth, as the race moved into Gorey.

The gruelling climbs and fast descents took their toll, but both riders remained near the top of the general classification.

As the race reached its penultimate stage, a time trial (TT) followed by a critérium in Kilkenny city, the pressure mounted. Caoimhe had slipped to second overall, 11 seconds behind Griffin, while Aoife held to a top 10 position. Time trials are not Caoimhe’s strongest discipline, but she managed a solid performance, finishing 25th before regrouping for the criterium.

In the final stage, Mia Griffin held her lead to become the first Irish rider in 11 years to claim the magenta winner’s jersey. Caoimhe finished fifth overall, just 21 seconds off the lead, while Aoife slipped to 11th in the general classification.

Despite the slight drop in position, Caoimhe secured the Sport Ireland Young Rider jersey, marking her as the best U23 rider in the race.

Reflecting on her performance, Caoimhe acknowledged the support of her team and her family. “Rás na mBan is such a special race, and to win the Best Young Rider jersey means a lot to me. I couldn’t have done it without the help of my team and, of course, Aoife. She and I push each other every day, and I wouldn’t be where I am without her.”

For the O’Brien sisters, the Rás na mBan was not just another race, it was an opportunity to showcase their talents on home soil, in front of friends, family, and the cycling community that has supported them from the beginning. Lakeside Wheelers members followed every stage closely. “The support from Lakeside Wheelers and everyone in Mullingar has been incredible,” said Caoimhe. “It means the world to have that backing, especially in a race like this.”

LOVE OF SPORT

As Caoimhe looks ahead to the World Championships in Switzerland later this month, she does so with confidence and momentum. She is currently semi-professional but is in negotiations with several teams about turning pro full-time.

“I’ve had a great year, and the World Championships will be another big challenge. I’m excited for what’s to come, and hopefully, I can secure a professional contract soon.”

Caoimhe is currently at the second-highest level in racing, continental, just under the grade of the likes of Sam Bennett and Eddie Dunbar on the World Tour. Aoife is operating on club teams, the third tier. “It’s only in the last two years that I’ve thought about making this my full-time job, considering the results I’ve achieved and the contracts I’ve been getting with teams. It’s really exciting,” she added.

Caoimhe and Aoife attended Loretto College, Mullingar, and Caoimhe went to UCD, graduating on 2 September with a degree in food science. They played football with Clann Gaels and were involved with Mullingar Harriers Athletic Club, all of which led the keen sports siblings into cycling with Lakeside Wheelers.

Their parents, Jacinta and Damien O’Brien, nurtured their love of sport, and they have enjoyed the support of their older sister, Shauna, and younger brother, Rory. “We’re all into sport; my parents are big into it, especially Daddy, and I think when we were younger, they just put us into every sport they could find, and we enjoyed it so much. The lifestyle is one of the big motivating factors for me – it’s really good for your wellbeing, and all the people you get to meet really make it.

“The last couple of years balancing my cycling with college has been a challenge – a lot of people are going through tougher times — but it has been a balancing act. Training is 20-25 hours a week on top of work and college. But you just become resilient and do what you need to do, and the one thing about cycling is, although you are part of a team, it is an individual sport: you’re the one who has to sit on that bike and push yourself. There’s no real hiding; if you don’t put the work in, you are not going to be able to achieve a goal. When the good days come, they are that much sweeter.”

Caoimhe’s journey from the roads of Westmeath to the international stage is a testament to her hard work, talent, and determination. Her success in the Rás na mBan is just one chapter in a future with huge promise.

As she continues to rise through the ranks, Irish cycling fans will be watching closely, knowing that Caoimhe is a star in the making.