Cycling Reports

Noel Hammond Memorial Race

 By Cian Lynch

Ballyboughil - Sunday 29th April , 2001

Now here is a race and a half. On the back of yesterday, I hoped for a good performance. The circuit itself comprised a 12 mile loop, 6 laps to be covered. With the B riders off again a couple of minutes ahead, I was hoping we were not going to suffer that rubbish of yesterday. Healion was sporting a new pair of racing shoes, they would have to be racing shoes, at £180 lids ! No sooner have we started on the beautiful day, and Martin shoots off up the road. The next time I saw him was atop of the Nags head when the group had caught up. Despite the fact that a couple of attempts were made to get groups away by various parties ….

When we did eventually join up with the B riders, things were going to be a bit hectic. Roads that weren't conducive to a big overtaking move, like in the 'oul Park gallops on the main roads where we would literally swamp the groups up ahead on catching them. The fear of course was that some of the scratch group might filter through the group and take off, building a substantial lead before the rest of us got to get off the front and start chasing. Indeed, Cass himself took off on the way up the Nags Head, and whether or on the had anything in mind in terms of sneeking off, well it didn't work then, however the final result tells another story ….

While it wasn't quite a stall on catching the B's, it wasn't long until we were hitting back up the Nags Head, and I am fairly certain that this broke things up quite a bit. As usual, I can't remember where or when the break eventually went, I am fairly sure it went along that Nags Head stretch though…. In the break, no surprises - Mick Mulcahy, Mark Kiernan, Cass, Crowley, Eugene Moriarty, a couple of our Northern pals, Mark Sittlington, Robert Moore, Brian Lennon, Ger Madden, Paul Healion, Dave Peelo, Tom Green, Ray Clarke and yours truly. No doubt there were more than that, but I'm satisfied that I've included most …. Cass mind you had ridden across the gap from the group behind afterwards …

Given the size of the group, it wasn't long before Cass was busy attacking everybody….. on the bike that is. All his attacks were countered, and after Naul I had a chance to attack up the road, this I did over the " Three Sisters " known as such given there are three rolling hills in a row after Naul. Big ring on the 16, out of the saddle, I kept the head down and dropped it down to the 15, pulled over, and I was away with Mark Kiernan, Brian Lennon, Dave Peelo, Eugene Moriarty and a couple of the Northies. Things were looking good, we had representation from everyone behind, and were working well, that is until Mick Mulcahy brought us back with one of his huge big gear churning efforts. Suited Cass, mind you, as he jumped again, this time with Paul Healion, Peelo, Ray Clarke, Sittlington and Keith Gallagher. Gone. Damn, damn and damn again. Of course, despite chasing we were going nowhere. Cass would have had the whip out, giving them plenty of time to gain on our disorganized effort behind. Of course, Moriarty and Crowley got the chance to camp their arses on everyone all day….

Their lead crawled up, 15, 20 no sooner was it 1 minute. The Dave Kane lad and the northies worked well, to no avail. I tried to get up the road, and indeed was up with Eugene Moriarty for a while, back to the chasers I'm afraid. For my part, it was another great race. I am disgusted that I missed that move with Cass and the others, I felt strong enough to stay up there. On the last lap, a small group from behind joined us, including Martin. That was a great ride by him, given he wanted to check out the knee that had been giving him trouble - no probs though.

On the run in to the last ascent of Nags Head, Scott Mc Donald attacked, having sat on all day. He was reeled back in, though this did not stop him attacking again on the run into the finish. Bad form my fine feathered friend. I was not the only one to curse his gaul in attacking, but racing is racing. Black book. The speed on the run in was hectic as usual. No way we were gong to catch the lads ahead. Martin encouraged me to move up, and having gone up the road with a small group, I was unsure about the gallop. Micky Fitz, the God of sprinting, passed by. There is my wheel. I took it, but was too far back at the turn to the finish. Our friends, Crowley and Eugene took 8th and 6th respectively, as I said, having sat on for the whole day. The Dave Kane lad was 5th, a just reward. Up ahead, Cass had played his cards right, as always. Cough, splutter, groan etc. etc. .Healion seizes the chance to attack again and again, Cass " scrambles " back on, then wipes Healions face in it at the finish. Class Cass. Healion responds by bouncing his bike and every thing else off the ground, frustrated, at the finish. Nice shoes, great ride, 2nd. As a man I respected once said, there is no substitute for speed.

Well, here's looking forward to next weekend. My last before the Ras, as I head off to Spain to do some racing (only joking! ) - it's the break with my girlfriend that I had promised earlier in the season, that FMD had postponed ….. And then on to the Ras. We have landed a substantial sponsorship deal for the Ras, and I am delighted. Watch the Press for details.

Until the Tour of Ulster …..

Keep all those nice e-mails coming. cian@irishcycling.com 

Should anyone require Safety Consultation or advice, contact our sponsors, General Safety Managers Ltd., at 01-2763112.