Nestling side by side, Meath and Westmeath will have one thing in common on Sunday. Or to be precise, Navan and Mullingar who are steeped in the tradition of cycling.
Whereas Mullingar will be staging the 'B' Championship along with the fourth round of National Womens League and a supporting race for C's/Veterans and Juniors.
But in Navan, things will be heaving with excitement in preparation for the Grand Depart of the 56th edition of the FBD Insurance Ras on an anti clockwise direction.
There'll be of course a common denominator with the same outcome! As far as the participants are concerned they'll want to feel justifiably proud of their performance.
Alas, the Mullingar contingency will be home in the late evening but for the 'Ras' the end will not be in sight until Sunday week in Skerries.
Despite clashing with the FBD Ras and this being the first Irish Championship (road), organiser Mark Horohoe of Lakeside Wheelers is confident that he'll get the numbers.
"The majority of the B's will not be in the Ras, so they'll have competition here in West Meath. Also we are staging round four of the Ladies National League which by all accounts is going very well with numbers exceeding forecasts in the earlier rounds. Plus we have a race for the Juniors/Veterans/C competitors," said Mark.
I'll be surprised if Mark does not at least 150 cyclists battling along the roads in the greater area of Mullingar.
Racing gets under way from the Mullingar Rugby Club at 2 o'clock for all events.
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| Peter Bidwell - R.I.P. |
PETER BIDWELL PASSES AWAY
The death has taken place of Peter Bidwell, Chairman of Drogheda Wheelers and safety officer of FBD Insurance Rás. He passed away at his home, today, Thursday after a long battle with illness. Peter first competed in the Rás in 1979 and again in 1981, '82, '83 and '84. He then turned his hand to being a trustworthy and loyal official on the race.
The funeral arrangements for Peter are as follows.
Leaving his residence on Saturday Morning at 10.30 to Holy Family Church, Drogheda for mass at 11.00 a.m. Burial afterwards in the new Donore cemetery.
May he Rest in Peace.
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MECHANIC NEED FOR RAS TEAM
The Stamullen / Meath team urgently needs a mechanic for the upcoming FBD Ras
If your interested Contact 087-2040959 OR 086-2410759
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