Cycling Reports

Brendan Carroll Memorial Race

 By Cian Lynch

Stamullen - Saturday 21^st April 2001

Back to Stamullen again – I raced here last year and had an up and down weekend – the Saturday had been ok, when I was trying to lead out Aidan Crowley and he punctured, the Sunday saw me dropped on the first ascent of the Stamullen drag ( not a reference to cross dressing activity in the area ), what an unmitigated disaster ! One thing for sure, the rain was back with a vengeance ….

Interestingly enough, another young Irish cyclist was back from France to race- this time David O’Loughlin. He has been racing in France so far this season, perhaps he is another taking a break ( translation for coming home to cause havoc in domestic races by churning post Ras type gears, and this is a month away from that race for domestic    riders ). Paul Griifin, Vinnie Gleeson and Kieran McMahon had made the journey up, also along for the ride were quite a substantial representation from Kerry – their setup is a credit to the development of underage cycling in Ireland.

During the course of  warming up, I ended up spinning along with Gary McQuaid and Phil Finnegan – having a natter about last weekend. Further up the road, I met up with Willie Byrne, and we spoke of making the break during the race. I recalled a break going up the road just after the end of the first lap a couple of years ago – and was sure that the same would happen again this time.

Gabriel Howard, the voice of Irish Cycling, was his usual good natured and humorous self. The Irish version of Daniel Mangeas, race announcer for the Societe de Tour De France, Gabriel was in a serious crash in January – and it was with great relief all round that he and his wife have come out of it alright – they too contribute greatly to cycling in North County Dublin and Meath. Tom Hughes is the Stamullen rider of the moment, and on the back of last weekend, he is certainly a man on form.

From the line, the pace is neutralized, and after the top of the short drag, the pace starts to hot up. It stays fairly much together to the end of the first lap, when I totally forget what I had warned myself, and miss the break up the drag. A group of 12 or so take off up the road, containing all the names – Griff, McMahon, Willie Byrne, Healion, O’Loughlin, Gary McQuaid and a few others. Marvellous – imagine being told “the break is going to go at X point, exactly, so just bewares …” and I still missed it! Unfortunately, although there were still a few bodies left behind, Irish Road Club were represented up the road, as was my team therefore the chances of there being a cohesive attempt to bring back the break were disappearing rapidly as time went by.

The gap at the end of the 2^nd lap was 10 seconds, but just went up after that. The weather became increasingly cold and wet – similar to Balbriggan a couple of weeks back, not conditions we need reminding of. At the start of the 5^th lap, my chain slipped off altogether – on dismounting and sorting it, the chasing group were gone, and despite chasing the chasers until the entrance to Gormanstown College ( 2 miles ), I did not get back on – time to ……PACK. Oh, that awful word. Might not get a Ras place ….. Not a worry there – I was as happy to climb into the car and get some warmth into my body again.

I did manage to see the lead group finish, well see the back of the bunch anyways – Dave O’Loughlin led the bunch in, with the hounds hot on his wheel. Gabriel Howard was voicing the win and credited young Kanturk rider, Paidi O’ Brien with the win. What a fantastic result for him and his club. I recall seeing somewhere that he was beaten on the line in a stage of the Gorey last week, when he sat up to celebrate early …. Now he had his sweet revenge. If it’s the guy I am thinking of, he looks like a mean sprinter, kind of Roman Vaintsteins like, huddled over the bike as if to say “ Its mine!” Well done horse.

 As for tomorrow, when Lynch will try and surpass his brutal attempt of last year, on that bloody climb – I would like a result of some sort tomorrow. It will certainly be a case of wrapping up for the start ….

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