Cycling Reports

Ras Mumhan – 2001

 By Cian Lynch

Stage 4,  60 Miles  – Killorglin – Killorglin

Indecision of gross proportions. Arrival at the sign on and Paddy O’Callaghan is unsure as to what form the stage will take. It might be a 15 mile circuit, with four laps to be covered. We had a meeting at the start, and it was decided, given Paul Griffin’s form and  (he was in 8^th overall ) attitude, that the race was not over, and all was to play for. Fireworks from the gun, We agreed that one of the three would have to ride up the road with every move – which was fine by me, clip on to a move and hope and hope again.

To the start line, and Paddy O’ Callaghan mumbles into Eugene’s ear the route of the circuit. Such is the disorganization and indifference to the riders, there was no attempt to let the others know the circuit. There had been rumours that we would have to complete 4 big loops, then 4 of the 2 mile Donal McKenna circuit. At the presentation of the jerseys, Paddy O’Callaghan asked Martin O’Loughlin where his was. When shown that Martin was wearing it already, Paddy made him take it off in front of the whole bunch and have it represented to applause from a few onlookers. Are we in the new millennium or the old? Christ almighty, respect due for organizing a race such as this, but respect on an individual scale ……..

From the start, Scanlon took off like a hot snot, with Looby and myself and Hedderman in attendance, Looby doing turns in fairness. No sooner we had a split from the group behind, about 8 in all, this time Crowley was in attendance. After a while we were joined by a more substantial group which contained Griffin and McMahon. We had to ride to bring back the group up the road. Unfortunately, when we did gather, a move went straight away, classical, containing Cass, Hedderman, Moriarty, Scanlon and Tim Barry. All the marks of a break, and we are sitting on our holes looking at one another. (Excuse the language, but I am tired at the end of the weekend) Chase, stop, I go to the front and try and keep it steady, then more attacks.

I wish the health was better, I could do more riding. On the last lap we are getting the ridiculous time gaps that we have been getting all weekend. The group come from behind and its all to ride for. The fast finish sees Micky Fitz take off up the road with Eddie O’Donoghue, I’m not sure which one takes it, no, correction, I have just checked the Teletext and indeed it was Eddie. Micky is class personified. Even on the roll into the finish, he is twisting and shaping, switching the bike and warding off any would be followers.

Up ahead, Scanlon has romped home over 90 seconds ahead of Cass, with Hedderman third and Tim Barry and Eugene just behind. The overall sees Cass move up to 3^rd, with Kieran McMahon, Willie Byrne and Paul Griffin take 4^th, 5^th and 6^th Overall. Not bad for our first outing as a team. We took the team prize also.

Congrats to Eugene, taking a very well earned win in his home county. Watch out for that T.D. seat in a few years…… Cass orchestrated his team as always with panache, and read the race as always – inside out. His team rode very well and they are to be congratulated on their outfit as a whole. For ourselves, well we will wait and see, I for one have a lot of work to do, I will wait until the cold leaves my system. Well done to the race organisers on giving us a testing and damn difficult course. Thanks again Joe, Valerie and Ev, for helping us all weekend – much appreciated.

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I hope you have enjoyed the column this weekend – I will report back soon.