Ulster Cycling News
27Aug/110

Husband and Wife Share Glory at Lakeland GP

It was Ryan Sherlock of SportActive and his wife Melanie Spath of Cycleways who proved to be a winning duo when they both romped to victory in the main events at the Lakeland GP today. Sherlock who lifted a silver medal in the National Hill Climb Championships last night was competing in the 74 mile A race promoted by Lakeland CC as part of the weekend festival of cycling. The handicapped A race saw a three minute advantage given to A3’s over A2 and a similar gap back to A1’s.

This handicap proved to be well timed as the tough course allowed A3’s to stay away from A2’s for more than half of the event while the remaining eight riders in the scratch bunch only caught them with three miles to go to the finish. Sherlock then jumped and no-one had the legs to go with him. He soloed home a clear winner. The peloton broke with a group of eight riders chasing Sherlock.

It was this group that contested the spring for the remaining positions. Colm Quinn of Cuchullainn who was second in last night’s criterium in Enniskillen, proved to be the rider with the extra kick in the legs and he took second from Conor McAllister of Slane Cycles. Chris McCann of East Tyrone has shown steady progress through the year and this was proven when he took fourth ahead of Damian McDonald of Team Vision Racing and Gary Jeffers of East Tyrone.

There was an excellent field of women for the Women’s event which was also the final round of the National Women’s League and counter in the Ulster Women’s League. The women covered a distance of 41 miles taking in the tough climb which saw the group break.

It was Melanie Spath of Cycleways who took the chance and rode away from the main bunch to take a clear victory. Sandra FItzgerald of Lucan Staggs also saw her chance and broke away to take a solo second while Amy Brice jumped from the peloton in the closing stages to lift a well deserved third.

The remaining places came down to a bunch sprint and it was Mandy Collie (Team Basso Today’s Cyclist) who outsprinted Sinéad Rivers (Roe Valley CC)and Claire Dillon (Orwell Wheelers) to take fourth.

The B race for the A4’s followed the usual pattern with breaks being attempted and reeled back in. However in the closing miles two riders got away and this proved to be the winning move. Relative newcomer Kevin Holian of Errigal CC, dug deep and his efforts paid off as he crossed the line to win the event with Mark Bleakley (Lakeland CC)hot on his heels.

The remaining places came down to a bunch sprint which was won by Gavin Stirling (East Tyrone CC). Ballymoney’s Wayne Stephens wasn next best placed rider ahead of Kenny McConaghy (Clann Eireann CC)and James Adair (Team Vision Racing).

The Over 50’s Race once again proved to be very popular with many of the usual contenders lining up. However they had not reckoned with the both the power and local knowledge of Super vet Kenny Boylan of the promoting club. Boylan, a well known hill climber, made his move on the mountain road and slipped away from the group some of whom were not aware of the move. He had a clear margin of victory when he crossed the line. John Hunter of North Down made hos move with 500 yards to go and took second ahead of team mate Robert McGarry and Carl McLaughlin of North Pole CC.

The whole event was extremely well organised by Mark Kavanagh and the Lakeland club. There were loads of marshalls, ten motorbike outriders, lots of lead cars and warning signs were everywhere. Food after the race ws excellent and to top it all it was dished out in the lovely grounds of Enniskillen Castle. The Lakeland GP had been off the calendar for several years but it was certainly brought back with a bang this weekend. The whole event was very professional amd the finish line was bedecked with flags and banners.

Not only did the club run the four races today but a crit in Enniskillen last night and are having a leisure tour round Lower Lough Erne tomorrow. The crit last night was won by Mark McKinley of SportActive from Colm Quinn of Cuchullainn CC and Cormac Clarke of Newry Wheelers. Many thanks must go to Commissaires for the day, Stephen McKenna, Mickey Murray and Oliver McKenna and Chief Judge Garry Nugent. Congratulations to all at Lakeland CC.

FOR SOME MORE PICS OF THE EVENT CLICK ON THE GALLERY LINK BELOW.

VIEW GALLERY OF LAKELAND GP 2011 BY MARIAN LAMB

Report and Pics Marian Lamb

Lakeland GP ‘A’ Race
1. Ryan Sherlock (SportActive)
2. Colm Quinn (Cuchulainn CC)
3. Conor McAllister (Slane Cycles)
4. Chris McCann (East Tyrone CC)
5. Damian McDonald (Team Vision Racing)
6. Gary Jeffers (East Tyrone CC)
7. Mark McKinley (SportActive)
8. Conor Hanna (Bikeworks)

Lakeland GP ‘B’ Race
1. Kevin Holian (Errigal CC)
2. Mark Bleakley (Lakeland CC)
3. Gavin Stirling (East Tyrone CC)
4. Wayne Stephens (Ballymoney CC)
5. Kenny McConaghy (Clann Eireann CC)
6. James Adair (Team Vision Racing)

Lakeland GP Women’s Race (Ulster and National Leagues
1. Melanie Spath (Cycleways) @ 1.50.58
2. Sandra Fitzgerald (Lucan Staggs)
3. Amy Brice (Phoenix CC)
4. Mandy Collie (Team Basso Today’s Cyclist)
5. Sinéad Rivers (Roe Valley CC)
6. Claire Dillon (Orwell Wheelers)
7. Fiona Cooke (Marble City)
8. Niamh Stephens (UCD)
9. Ciara Kinch (Orwell Wheelers)
10. Roisin Kennedy (Lucan Staggs)

Lakeland GP Over 50’s Race
1. Kenny Boylan (Lakeland CC) @ 1.49.53
2. John Hunter (North Down CC)
3. Robert McGarry (North Down CC)
4. Carl McLaughlin (North Pole CC)
5. Ian Blayney (North Down CC)
6. Harry Adams (North Down CC)
7. Michael Bond (Omagh Wheelers)
8. Tommy Lamb (Phoenix CC)

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