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Last Updated: 6 Apr 2018 - 3:10:13 PM |
Felix English of the Ralpha Condor outfit based in England landed one of his biggest successes to date when he won the National Criterium Championship in Mullingar, Co. Westmeath last evening.
The event was held on 1.3km circuit over 50 minutes and five laps and despite the rainy conditions, Felix gave a scintillating display of bikeman ship to land the top prize. Thirty-three competitors set out for the title, but Felix along with Daniel Clifford of DID/Dunboyne CC seized the moment from the starters siren and literally blew the opposition away with their ability to handle a very technical course through the main thoroughfare of the town.
Whilst many who watched the proceedings, thought, the tactics of attempting to blitz the field was off the wall. English and Clifford had other ideas and their ability to handle the course proved to be the difference between success and failure.
The duo never let up and as the race developed they began to pick off the competitors who found the going that bit too much on the night. Unfortunately for Clifford from Killorglin who contributed to the escape, the dreaded word 'cramp' caught up with him just before the race entered the final laps of the championships.
In the end and justifiably so, it was left to the nineteen year old who first came to the notice of Irish cycling when he won the first stage and final stage of the International Junior Tour a number of year ago. Since then, English has been a regular on Irish teams and yesterday evening despite the conditions proved to the general public that cycling sits well with him and they acknowledged his fine effort on the night.
For the second year in a row, local man and the crowds favourite Damien Shaw of the Lakeside Wheelers Mullingar lifted the roof when he nudged ahead in the sprint for the silver medal. In third position was the ever popular Paudi O'Brien of the Dan Morrissey/Speedy-Spokes outfit.
Earlier on in the event, Paudi from Banteer, came a cropper and hit the deck and took a lap out which is allowed in the rules of criterium events.
“The 'Criterium Championship' was one of my goals for the season. The course was superb and in conjunction with my uncle, I decided because of the rain, that the best place to be was at the head of the race. So, it was a do or die effort to get the advantage from the off and tactically it paid rich dividends. Donal contributed to the escape and for him it must have been heartbreaking to cramp up near the end.
“I am back in England with the team today (Saturday) and we have a number of crits that I'll have the opportunity of wearing the 'national champs jersey.' So, when you are watching TV which will cover a number of criteriums in the next couple of weeks I'll be easily recognisable. There was a great atmosphere and despite the conditions here in Mullingar, the crowd played their part with the noise they were making,” said Felix as he sampled the warmth of the public.
As for the runner-up, Damien Shaw. “Sorry, I did not the number one placing, the atmosphere was fantastic and I was fully aware that the town were behind me. Pity about the weather, but there is always another year,” said Damien who now turns his efforts to London 2012.
Filling the podium placings, Paudi O'Brien, “Fantastic course, great buzz about the place and to see the crowds was great. Fair dues to Felix and the unfortunate Donal they certainly put it up to the rest of us. On the night the top man was Felix,” said Paudi.
Before the proceedings got under way, Joe Duffy the organiser of the events on the night made a presentation to Gabriel Howard of the Stamullen M Donnelly club for his contribution to cycling.
From an organisational point it was magic. One hour before proceedings got under way in the thriving town which was jammed packed with traffic Operation 'Championships' cranked up and within 45 minutes the entire course was barreired. Civil Defence personnel were in place, the marshals were in position and the Gardai had dis;placed the traffic.
Within twenty minutes of the finish and the presentation, the town was back to normal, save the banner and the posters in the various shop windows which announced that for the second year in a row this progressive club, Lakeside Wheelers had shown 'where there is will, there is a way.'
Crit Champs pictures courtesy of Kevin Monaghan
All-Ireland Criterium Championship in Mullingar
1st Felix English, Rapha Condor - (55mins-27 sec)
2nd Damien Shaw, Lakeside CC Mullingar @ 55seconds
3rd Paudi O'Brien, Dan Morrissey Speedy Spokes S/T
4th Brian Ahern, DTC Orwell CC - S/T
5th John Lynch, Murphy Surveys Kilcullen CC - S/t
6th Gary Cranston, East Antrim Audi - S/T
A3 - SUPPORT RACE
1 Barry Griffin, Comeragh CC
2 Rolbbie Kenny, Lakeside CC Mullingar
3 Gael Hoarau, VCE - France
4 Dave 0'Connor - U/A
5 Jason Prendergast, Cunga CC
6 Gerard Dunne, Clonard CC
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