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Last Updated: 2 Apr 2018 - 8:45:17 PM |
Report on Invacare Squad in Bizkaiko Bira
By Cathal Miller
29 Jul 2015,
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PARACYCLING BIZKAIKO BIRA XVIII
18 – 19 JULY 2015
Event held on 18th and 19th July over three stages including a Hill Climb, Time Trial &, Road Race. Managed by development team coach Cathal Miller and mechanic Gerry Beggs. Thirteen bikes in the squad making it the largest team ever to depart for an International event. Also supported were Peter Ryan and Mark Rohan
INVACARE IRELAND ACADEMY SQUAD
Martin Gordon, MB, Independent
Paddy Clarke, Pilot, Fitscience
Damien Vereker, MB, Comeragh CC,
Marcin, Mizgajski, Pilot, Rossbury Racing
Martin Enright, C2, Midleton CTC
Aidan Mullane, C2, Bottecchia RC
Chris Burns, C3, Banbridge CC
Andrew Nicholson, C4, Phoenix CC
Jerry Towey, C4, Western Lakes
Tojo Lazzari, C5, Castlebar CC
Ciara Staunton, WH2, Murphy Surveys
Declan Slevin, MH3, Rosemount CC
Seamus Wall, MH4, Barrow Wheelers
Fiona Mc Cormack, WH5, Independent
Liam Cullinane, T2, Galway, CC
The squad travelled in 2 groups flying to Bilbao on the 15th and 16th and returning on the 20th as a complete squad. This was primarily a self-funded trip for the riders with the exception of the coach and mechanic (flights) and the rental of a van, which was funded through the Para cycling budget.
Friday 17th: The squad were brought to the town of Mungia that hosted both the TT and the Road Race for the hand bikes and trikes and the TT for the solo and tandem bicycles. After a 2-hour acclimatisation of the respective courses the riders were brought back the hostel for dinner and a team meeting and briefing for the following days racing.
Saturday 18th: (9AM) A 4km hill in Bilbao was the first race for the solo and tandem bikes. Racing against the Spanish elite squad and numerous Dutch and French riders the squad acquitted themselves very well in every category placing a rider in the top 5 on general GC after the first event.
Saturday 18th: (12:45PM) TT for the hand bikes and trikes in the town of Mungia began with Declan Slevin in the H3 category placing 5th and Fiona McCormack winning the WH5 category despite a bad crash and a puncture on the last lap. Unfortunately team Ireland had 4 crashes on a very technical course that forced 3 riders to retire due to technical difficulties and injury.
Saturday 18th: (18:45PM) Road Race for solo and tandem bicycles 56km and 72km respectively in the town of Elorrio.
The tandems started first and raced what turned out to be a fantastic event on a rolling course. All three tandems were excellent with Damien Verecker being away on his own for 6 laps only to be caught with 700 metres to go by the world champions to be denied 3rd place. The other tandems did exceptionally well with Peter Ryan chasing back on after a mechanical. Chris Burns was unlucky to puncture and lose what was a 3rd place finish, Andrew and Jerry rode well with Andrew suffering with back spasm towards the end and Jerry missing out on a podium at the gallop for the finish. Martin and Aidan were excellent and held their own against far more established and experienced riders. Tojo was very strong and did a huge amount of work to try and get Chris back into the break.
Sunday 19th: (9.30AM) Road Race Hand bikes and trikes 40km, 30km, 20km. Due to the damage to Liam’s trike he was unable to race. Ciara’s hand bike was repaired to the extent that she had two gears and despite stitches and various contusions she gamely raced and finished in what was a fantastic effort. Again Fiona despite various cuts and bruises also raced and in doing so claimed the overall WH5 title. Seamus patched up competed in the H4 race and was in contention and improved on his time of last year by a whopping 16 minutes. Declan Slevin rode a fantastic race and lost out on a podium by 20 seconds having to deal with Spanish team tactics etc.
Sunday 19th: (12.45PM) tandems and solo bicycles 30km and 20km TT in 35 degrees of heat. Tandems started first and again Damien Verecker and Marcin were on form with a fantastic 4th place on a standard tandem with no TT apparel with the remaining two tandems within 20 seconds (Peter Ryan and Dermot had mechanical issues and to my mind were the form tandem for the TT). The solo bike acquitted themselves very well and despite in most cases riding standard bicycles were able to hold position.
Results overall:
C5, 7th position,
C4, 4th position,
C3, 4th position,
C2, 4th position,
MH3, 5th,
WH5, 1st,
WH2, 1st stage 2,
MH4, 5th, stage 2 and,
MT2, dnf.
Overall this was a very successful weekend racing with a very good accumulation of points for Rio.
More, info on this event can be found on www.facebook.com/fundacionsaiatu
Cathal Miller
Development Coach
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