Ulster Cycling News
25Apr/160

Ulster Riders Excel in Bohermeen

9Ulster riders have been showing their ability at the Bohermeen Races.  Craig McAuley (Caldwell Cycles) won the Waller Cup, Claire McIlwaine (Phoenix CC) won the Women's National Series race at the same event and Nathan Mullan (Dromara CC) was victorious in the Thomas Tuite Cup with Newry Wheelers rider, Jude Sands,  in second place. In the Under 16 event it was Errigal's PJ Doogan who won ahead of a strong field while his brother Odhran was third in the Under 14 race. Well done to all.

Craig McAuley Wins Waller Cup
Craig McAuley of Caldwell Cycles took the biggest win of his life when he destroyed the opposition to take the Waller Cup in Bohermeen at the weekend. The Campsie based rider had a one point decided to give full time cycling a go but later changed his mind in favour of continuing his education. However since then he has gone on to take major wins culminating with winning the 132 km Waller Cup where he was up against the best riders in the country. He took this win from  Con McDunphy (Lucan CRC) and Ian Richardson (UCD-Fitzcycles.ie).

craig

65Claire McIlwaine Wins Women's National Series Race at Bohermeen
Claire McIlwaine of Phoenix CC took yet another great win when she stormed to victory at the Women's Race held by Bohermeen CC. This event was part of the Women's National Series and she was up against tough opposition from all around Ireland. The Donegal woman who rides for Belfast based club Phoenix CC took the win from  Grace Young De Ronde Van (Cork) and Fiona Guihnan (Irish Centre for Cycling). Belfast girl, Orla Montague who rides for Dublin Wheelers was fourth.

claire

Many thanks to Sean Rowe for the pics.

The following report was via press release from Paul Grogan. Many thanks Paul.

Nathan Mullan (Dromara CC) lifts the Thomas Tuite Perpetual Cup at the Bohermeen Cycling Club Races
Twenty-two year old Nathan Mullan (Dromara CC) propelled himself too within one point of an upgrade to the A1 class at the Bohermeen Cycling Club Races on Sunday, crossing the line in first place in the A2 class race after a superb sprint to the finish with Newry Wheelers rider Jude Sands.

The ever improving Mullan has been making quite a name for himself amongst the Cycling Ireland ranks over the past number of seasons, and after spending his winter increasing his preparation by competing in a number of Cyclo-cross
events along with a recent trip to the Costa del Sol for some warm weather training, the Newcastle native was feeling stronger than ever.

Starting the race towards the front of the pack ahead of seven 16.5km laps around the County Meath countryside, Nathan initially planned to join a group and get a move towards the front going. Unable to assemble a suitable group of riders to work together, Mullan fell back to the middle of the main pack, allowing a breakaway of 11 riders to make a break up ahead.

As the race progressed, Nathan joined up with Newry Wheelers’ Jude Sands to lead a group and reel in the breakaway approaching the penultimate lap of the race. Now sensing a move towards the front was in sight, Mullan attacked and
joined an eight-man group who together opened a lead margin of almost 40 seconds inside the final lap. With everything to play for, Nathan exited the final corner for the last 300 metre sprint to the finish, starting with the aid of Sands in front, at the 200 metre mark Mullan pulled out and crossed the line just in front to take the win and with it, the first awarding of the club’s Thomas Tuite Perpetual Cup for the Class A2 winner.

Nathan Mullan punches the air as he crosses the line victorious
Nathan Mullan said
“I really really enjoyed that one. It was hard at the start as we tried to get a group going but it just wasn’t happening, so towards the end I managed to work with Jude Sands from Newry Wheelers and it all came together. We gave each other a
good run to the finish line but I just managed to get ahead by enough to take the win, but thank you to him for his help.”

Nathan Mullan (Centre, Dromara Cycling Club) holds the Thomas Tu

od

pj

Marian Lamb UCN : marianlamb@ulstercyclingnews.com

 

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