Belgian Style Racing at Donegal Kermesse
It may have been an all Italian affair last weekend with the Giro but on Saturday the theme was Belgium when Donegal Bay Cycling Club hosted their annual Kermesse at Mountcharles. Now in its second year, the race used the same course which proved so popular in the inaugural 2013 event.
The six kilometre circuit included a very fast technical descent and an agonising climb from the coast up through the village and was completed 13 times.
The A4 race was run off in the morning and the strong tailwind along the coast saw the bunch cruise along the bay at 30 mph.… Read more
Competitive Racing at Emyvale
Emyvale CC had an incredible turnout of cyclists for the Grand Prix Sponsored by Barry Mc Kenna Agri Hire Emyvale on a fast rolling course which produced exciting racing going through the North Monaghan villages of Glaslough and Emyvale.
There were four separate senior events with the women's event being part of the National League.
There was also a full programme of events for the Youth riders. Emyvale Credit Union Sponsored the youth events.
In A1/A2 race Greg Swinard produced a mammoth ride to hold off the main bunch for the entire last lap for the win.… Read more
Mc Cann Takes Inaugural McCann Givan Stewart Trophy
Fifteen Under 16's signed on for the first running of the 'McCann Givan Stewart Youth Trophy', labelled beforehand as a 'Youth Classic' by the organisers because of the difficulty of the classic Tommy Givan course just outside Hillsborough.
That was a statement that was lived up to by the lads who raced over 3 laps of the 9 mile circuit, a fast 7 miles gradual down and flat followed by 1.5 miles of rising roads to a half mile flat run in to the finish.
First move was made by Jake Gray of East Tyrone on the 2nd lap, he took off on the rise into Annahilt and onto Leghacurry he had about 20 seconds on the bunch who didn't react but gradually brought Gray back before the lap finish.… Read more
‘McCann Givan Stewart Youth Trophy Saturday
The
Under 16 Youth Classic on Saturday promises to be the hardest race on the calendar for this age group, and just like the Tommy Givan road race that follows it, all who ride it will remember it as a classic event.
The prize list is extensive, a magnificent cup provided by the sponsors, medals for the 1-2-3, vouchers of £50, £30 and £20 for CRC, a race jersey from Slane Cycles and Tee shirts an...d freebees from the David McCall foundation.
The 3 laps of the circuit is a testing race for these guys, expect fast racing for the first 7 miles of each lap and fireworks up the rolling hills in the final 2 miles where the race can be won or lost, when the craftiest can overcome the strongest.… Read more
Competitive Events this Week including Track at Orangefield and Youth Events
Track Training and Accreditation Thursday 15th May
On Thursday night training and track accreditation will get underway at the Tommy Givan outdoor track at Ornagefield, Belfast. For those who would like to try track racing then this is the place to be as you will need to be accreditated before being allowed to enter competition. If you do not have a track specific bike a small number are available for hire for a nominal sum.
Unfortunately as this is an outdoor track it cannot be used when it is raining so the event may be cancelled if the inclement weather continues.… Read more
West Down and North Down GP’s Open for Entry
West Down GP Saturday 24th May
The West Down Wheelers will promote the West Down GP on Saturday 24th May 2014. This event is now open for pre-entry. There are 3 Races on offer, the (A) Race for A2/A3 category riders only (Limited to 80 riders), the (B) Race for A4 category riders only (Limited to 80 riders) and the Masters (over 50's) and Women. This will be a counter in the Ulster women's Road Race League.
The (A) race will cover 6 laps of the circuit and on the last lap (the 6th Lap) it will take in the sting in the tail, the Rathfriland Hill and then back again to the finish at Katesbridge as per last year, the race distance is approx 56 miles.… Read more
Shaw Triumphs in Final Stage of Tour of Ulster
The dull weather continued today but at least the racing offered up by the Tour of Ulster riders was anything but dull. Stage 3 on bank holiday monday would see no relief for the 87 starters, a challenging 75.9mile course awaited that included 3x category 2 KOH stages and 3x sprint points.
The neutralised started rolled north over the hill out of Maghera, with a strong tailwind the start was sure to be fast and furious. The flag dropped and immediately 4 riders attacked of the front of the peleton.… Read more
Swinand Hangs on to Yellow
Greg Swinand of UCD managed to hang on his Yellow Jersey by twelve seconds following today's tough second stage of the 2014 Tour of Ulster. Team Aquaa Blue riders Damien Shaw and Bryan McCrystal dominated today's stage. Shaw and McCrystal lifted the top points in the Sprint Primes and it was not much different in the climbs with only Marcus Christie of the Cycling Ulster Slane Cycles team, Ronan McLaughlin of the Donegal Development team and Anthony Murray of Team Bikeworx breaking their one/two monopoly.
The stage saw the riders travel almost eighty miles through stunning countryside but wiith a winner's time of 3h10'37" it was obvious that there was little time for sight seeing.… Read more
Swinand Takes Yellow In Stage 1 Tour of Ulster
A fresh start to a bank holiday weekend but that wont upset many of the riders the Carn Wheeler volunteers mused as the 22 teams and 101 riders arrived for sign on of the Tour of Ulster in Walshs hotel, Maghera. Stage 1 would present some of the countries finest riders will the longest race of the Cycling Ireland calendar this year, a 98.5mile loop around Lough Neagh that included 3 category 3 KOH stages and 3 sprint stages.
The stage was set for an exciting days racing and from the flag drop at the flyover after the neutralised roll out of Maghera the riders didn’t disappoint. … Read more
Mulholland and Lennon Show Sprinting Ability at Hugo Loughran
Friday evening saw Island Wheelers host the popular Hugo Loughran GP with two races being run simultaneously for A3 and A4 riders. Both races were sold out in advance and with the spring weather calm and warm a full field of riders showed up and enjoyed a great evening's racing.
The A4 race was run over 5 Laps each of 7.2 mile circuit on a relatively flat circuit and with only one small climb at the finish line. It was always going to be a difficult evening for an escape to get away and so a bunch sprint was inevitable.… Read more
