Cycling Reports

Batterstown race, Navan Road Club.

 By Cian Lynch

Saturday, 2nd March 2003

Another wild wet and windy start to the day, as I'm in between minds as to whether or not to venture out in the mad climate the far side of the window. Decision made, I pack a couple of changes of kit into the backpack, and trod across to Batterstown, only the 10 miles or so, tailwind and all, and sign up for the morning stage, as it were. Its grand to have the use of the changing rooms, given the fact I'm already soaked to the skin, and dampening someone's car seat doesn't really appeal to me. Paddy Moriarty is here for the race. I was recounting a race here some years back, where himself and myself were chasing Ritchie McAuley and Robin Seymour in the road, eventually catching them, but failing to reel in the 5 others up the road - Bannon, Bill Moore, Sully and a couple of others.

As we settle on the start line, awaiting the off, there is quite a field, A's and B's off together. In no time, Dave Lane is off up the road, and I take off after him. No particular reason - maybe a group will come up and we'll stay away! It kind of worked out like that; Brian Ahern, Craig Sweetman, John Herety and Colm Farrell come across, there's a slight stall and another group take off. Only one faux pas, I'm not in it! Laurence spins across - the same pedaling technique that God dished out to the Roche clan, it would appear. A brilliant ability to turn the 53.17 at speed, sees Laurence and Paddy Moriarty across to the group up ahead. And so the day ended.

Resigned to the group, the 20mph stall allows them gain all the time necessary to drift away into the hazy rain, and we are left to ride home. A couple of us including Ger Madden, Paul Reid and Karl Donnelly are all riding up and over, not so much in an effort to get back up to the group, more to keep the thing ticking over. Ride and a few ride, sit up and everyone sits up. A few efforts out of the corners gets lads working up and over if no one comes through, and opens up the lungs too!

Up ahead, sounds familiar already!, and Laurence Roche has a small group on its' own, with Paddy Moriarty, Shane Baker, Graham Thomas, Brian Ahern and Andrew Donnellan away. Just as the group approached the Green sheds for what Laurence and Paddy thought was another lap, Brian Ahern jumped them. And that was the last they saw of him! Brian is rider who manages that silky smooth pedaling technique, and they carried him all the way to the finish in fine style. A fine 4th place for Laurence seems to confirm his early season form.

We roll in, God only knows how far behind, a sum total of 90 minutes racing. As a few gather to change afterwards, and talk about the brutal conditions we have just raced in, I think for a moment of Ciaran Power and the Scanlon lad, as they participate in the 3 Day Tour of West Flanders. For Power, its his 2nd race of the season, for Scanlon, its a warm up to the 61st edition of the Paris Nice, starting on Sunday….. and we're giving out about the 90 minutes of savage weather! Meanwhile back at the ranks, another change of kit, and the slog home for a full wash of the drenched gear! Coombe Connor tomorrow …

Cian Lynch. Asst. D.S., North Kildare CC