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Last Updated: 6 Apr 2018 - 3:10:13 PM |
It certainly is a good weekend for the racing fraternity with events in several locations. But a word of warning for those intending to go to Kilmessan on Saturday for the Beechmount Cup. Maguires Pub is the sign on location but not two o'clock as stated. Or you could come out at seven o'clock for the official start at seven o'clock in a haze.
The Ballinrobe Two Day is on for those heading West and back up where they are in singing mode after their win against the 'Kingdom,' for the Tour of Rathmullan in Donegal. But the Kerry people are generous with I presume Sam going South yet again! Saturday they promote the championships for Kerry.
Championships are also on the menu in Leinster with the underage and the Collins-Christle event in Kilmessan on Sunday. And prior to all that we have the An Post Sean Kelly attempting back to back wins in the Mi-Aout en Bretagne (2.2) in France in France today.
Mi-Aout en Bretagne/An Post Sean Kelly go for the double
Mark McNally is on a mission today (Thursday) when he lines out to defend his win last season in the La Mi-Aout en Bretagne (2.2) in France. McNally will have the backing of six An Post riders which will include the man from Donegal.
The four day stage race in Brittany will also include of Niko Eeckhout, Pieter Gyllebert and Niels Wytinck and Lithuanian Olympic rider Gediminas Bagdonas who has kept the flag flying on behalf of the An Post guys.
Last season the An Post guys showed true team co-operation riding up front at tempo to protect the lead built up by McNally on day one. McLaughlin played a key role in McNally’s victory and team manager Kurt Bogaerts is hoping for a repeat of last year’s performance.
“The team had a fantastic result here last year so we will be hoping to perform in the same manner this time around. Ronan put in a great shift which gave Mark the chance to take the victory so he will once again be an important figure for us.”
“We are not taking anything for granted though. As always we will be up against a strong field and the rolling climbs on the course will provide a stern test, so I’m expecting a very tough race. However, the team are riding with lots of confidence at the moment so if we keep in the breaks in each stage we will be in with a chance” Bogaerts added.
Team for La Mi-Aout en Bretagne (2.2) 9th - 12th August 2012
Ronan McLaughlin (IRL);
Niko Eeckhout (BEL);
Niels Wytinck (BEL);
Pieter Ghyllebert (BEL);
Mark McNally (GB);
Gediminas Bagdonas (LTU).
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Beechmount Cup Saturday at 7.00pm
The sign-on will be Maguires Public House in Kilmessan, Co. Meath. The event gets under way at 19.00 hours AND not 14.00 as stated in various publications. Categories catered for A1/A2/A3/A4/Jun 42km 3x 14km laps. Category prizes for all.
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UCD back to defend the Marrey Bikes Ballinrobe 2 day
With only days to go to The Marrey Bikes Ballinrobe 2 day, the organisers are gearing up for a 'CRACKER' in this year’s promotion. They have high hopes of representatives from all over the country to be in their midst. Certainly on the back up of the recent Tour of Connacht, held in Castlebar, things should be in their favour.
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| Charles Prendergats - Photo courtesy of Seamus Shortall |
Colm Cassidy of UCD and the current holder is listed amongst the starters and as always, the team will be a key force for his retention of the trophy that he won last year. But, obviously the Murphy Kilcullen CC will have other ideas. The Kildare based team regard the area as a happy hunting ground in the past and memories are sweet. The Lakeside Wheelers club from Mullingar will be no easy pushover. Errigal CC who ran one magnificent event last weekend in the Churchill-Letterkenny area are one outfit and should be rewarded with some silverware. Naturally the TFH/Castlebar CC will be there in their numbers and with a bit of luck David Brennan could be in the mix. It will be interesting to see if Ryan Sherlock will make a return to the province? At the end of the day, the one they'll all have to take notice of is Charles Prendergast of Cunga CC.
One of the big attraction of this years race is the large number of ladies entered, this event is part of the Ladies Classic League and they are all in with a fighting chance of taking some ranking points as well the overall honours.
Western Lakes Team will also be fielding a strong squad with this been a local event held on familiar roads. So, the pressure is on the home team to get a result.
ADDITIONAL Race for A4's
On Sunday there will be a separate A4 race, racing 3 laps of 20k for a total distance of 60k. Club racers can take out a one day licence. Sign on at the Cycling Centre from 11.30am, racing starts at 1.15pm.
The event is now in its seventh year and has been on an upward curve. The feedback has been positive and the organisation are pleased that there concept. Western Lakes Team will also be fielding a strong squad with this been a local event held on familiar roads the pressure is on the home team to get a result.
This event is one of Ireland’s only Handicapped stage race, allowing every participant a fair chance of success. The race is sponsored by Marrey Bikes of Ballinrobe for the third year in a row, This 2 day event is open to all categories except A4’s (separate race for them on Sunday the 12th starts after stage 2b at 1.15pm
Ladies and juniors (U18) can be competitive against the A1’s riders as there is a handicap system in place on Stage 1 and stage 2b.
This stage race has all the frills with jerseys, Yellow (Overall) Green (Sprints) and Polkadot (Mountains) plus 4 perpetual trophies and cups for stage and overall winners, we try and cater for every category with €2000 in prizes. The race starts on Saturday at three o'clock with an 85kms hilly road stage. Sunday there are two stages, stage 2a is an 7k msTT, 9am start. Stage 2b starts at 1pm with 4x20k laps through the town centre each time..
Entry forms and event details are on www.westernlakescc.com
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TOUR OF RATHMULLAN and Carl Fullerton
Last weekend Co. Donegal was the place to be and the North Pole CC hope that some of the green will be on their shoulders after a hugely successful Errigal CC promotion. More about anon.
The Tour of Rathmullan will be held in Rathmullan,Co Donegal this Sunday. The top riders from the North West and afar will compete for 60 hard kilometers for The White Harte Trophy won in 2011 by North Pole rider Mark Buchanan who this year sends his apologies from Australia.(Maybe he'll be a surprise starter).
Two races, An 'A' race for experienced cyclists and a 'B' race for novices,youths and over -50's cyclists. Racing starts at 11am.Sign-on at the White Hart Bar on the Rathmullan Waterfront at 10am. There will be refreshments in the White Hart after the race. Prizes for all categories. There will also be a team prize. Max team size is 5 and they must register at the start. Best 3 riders to count.
Both races will be handicapped (based on ability) in order that each rider will have a fair opportunity to win. After that its down to performance on the day. I wonder if there will be one for everybody in the audience! Having witnessed at the first hand the enthusiasm for cycling in the county, I have no doubt that there will a huge turn out. Map my ride at www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/115708635
More information from Carl Fullerton at 086-2788497
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KILMESSAN ON SUNDAY
Leinster RR Championships
Leinster Youth RR Championships Avonmore Navan RC Noel Clarke 087-2727801. Venue Kilmessan 12 o'clock on Sunday. What an opportunity for those Leinster cyclists who took part in the August Bank Holiday weekend of racing in the Errigal International Youth Tour at Churchill and Letterkenny to strut their stuff once again. Clubs from the province where engaged in the four events for each category. In the under 12 they had the brothers Will and Archie Ryan, Matthew Kaye-Mellor and Marc Thatcher. In the under 14 Adam Stenson,Timothy Kay-Mellor, Adam Thatcher and Odhran Stynes were the flag bearers. In the under 16 Jack O'Connor, Darragh Long and Fintan Ryan were that step up.
Collins Christle Memorial
Back in the corner again will be the Collins Christle Memorial event which is a significant event on the calendar. Sign on at Maguires, Kilmessan Co Meath Race starts at 2.00 pm. A1/A2/A3/Jun 84 km 6 x 14km laps A4 separate race 56km 4 x 14km laps[subject to numbers] Great prizes kindly sponsored by the Collins and Christle families For info contact Noel 087 2727801
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Kerry RR Cycling Championships 2012 - TRALEE based
Date – Sunday, 12th August 2012.
Sign-on – 10.30am-11.30am at Manor West Hotel, Tralee.
Start Time – 12.00 noon on Bracker O’Regan Road
Parking - The overflow car park directly opposite Manor West Hotel has ample parking for all riders and supporters.
Entry – €10
Categories - All cyclists from Kerry or with a Kerry club are eligible.
Championships Medals for the first 3 in the following categories – First 3 over the line, A1, A2, A3, A4, Ladies, Over 40, 50, 60, Junior, Under, 16, 14, 12. Team Prize (First 3) for all Kerry clubs across all categories – 4 to score with clubs not allowed B teams and clubs do not have to nominate their 4 before the event.
Cyclists can win the overall prize and another in their own category. One Day Licenses available on the day. Presentation - Presentations will take place directly after the race back at the Manor West Hotel.
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MIDWEEK RACE RESULTS
Bike Worx Series at Mondello (7/8/12)
1 Ciaran O'Conluain UCD
2 John Lynch Murphy Surveys
3 Aidan Crowley DID Dunboyne
4 Eugene Murtagh Staggs Lucan
5 Joe Christian South East Road club
6 Mark Kiernan Murphy Surveys
Unplaced
1 A2 Keith Wall DID Dunboyne
1 A3 Fergus Whelan Cycling Pursuits
1 A4 Colm Mc Mahon Bray Wheelers
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