In all 326 competitors from north/east/south and west were in town. Well, the A1's and 2's had by far the biggest turn out for a mammoth 154kms (or as Gabriel Howard Stamullen / M Donnelly RC, said 94.8 miles and who am I to disagree).
Well he has supported the event since 2006 and has been in the placings on many occasions, but Yesterday Peter Hawkins of IG/Sigma Sports put the record right up to date, truly winning a deserved place in the history of the event which has gone from strength over the intervening years.
If anybody thought for a moment that this event only came alive in the final kilometers of the event. Spare me! From the drop of the flag on the outskirts of Carlow, it was all go and also in the first 16kms it was constant attacking with every thing been negated in the blink of an eyelid.
The first serious attempt on the borders of Carlow/Laois of Conor McConvey of An Post, Conor Murphy (EuroCycles), Damien Shaw (Lakelands), Martin O'Loughlin (Iverk/Carrick Wheelers) and Paudi O'Brien (Dan Morrissey/Speedy-Spokes). They may have had only a 30 second advantage for the next 100kms, but it was enough for the bunch of 120 to keep them on the radar.
On the first serious climb of the day, the pace shed a number of riders, but by 55kms on the clock the numbers that had grown to 52 cyclists losing contact. Still on a count back, 73 were still in contention.
Whilst the presence of Hawkins and the two An Post boys Conor and Sam Bennett added to the event, the mood in the main group was 'we are all in this together and may the may the best man win.' They in no way waiting for the three 'amigos' to make the moves. Part of the course had all the hallmarks which the race traversed three occasion was something out the 'Paris/Roubaix. But the swiftness of the riders on that section was pure magic.
The likes of Damien Shaw (Lakelands), John Horgan (Dan Morrissey/Speedy-Spokes) Conor Murphy (EuroCycles)). John Mason, Neil Delahaye of DID/Dunboyne) Mark Power(Dungarvan), John Dempsey (Iverk/Carrick Wheelers) the defending champion Greg Swinand (Usher Irish Road Club) got into moves that put them front of house before they were reeled in! Similar to the fisherman angling to land his catch and oft times it looked as if though he was going to fail. But as we all know patience is desired in cases.
Peter Hawkins (IG Sigma Sport)
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According to race winner Peter Hawkins, "there was no place to hide out there. It was constant and the racing was in full flow." Towards the last 30kms, the cracks were beginning to show and particularly with 20kms to go, Ryan Sherlock Cycleways) and Mark Dowling of DID/Dunboyne, both good climbers were clear at the top of 'Monument' by 35 seconds. On the descent, Thomas Martin (EuroCycles) and Peter Hawkins left the chasing group by now which had significantly dwindled. Up front the duo were using the cambers of the road to their best use as were Martin and Hawkins. As each kilometer counted down it was evident that the lead duo were slowly but surely losing the battle. With eight kilometers left on the clock it was a quartet who had it in the bag.
Talk abut a run of bad luck in the last kilometer as the quartet faced up to a sprint Dowling punctured. In the end it was Hawkins who collected the spoils from Sherlock and literally out of nowhere Paudi O'Brien got up for third place. Evidently a build up of traffic behind the race gave the chasers the opportunity to just roll on to the back of the break.
"It was action all the way. Delighted to get this win after so many close shaves. This has certainly out the icing on the cake, and is a bonus as I head to join my team in GI/Sigma Sports in England in the next couple of weeks," Peter Hawkins winner.
"A great days racing. So near, Yet so far away. There was never a let up on the day," runner up Ryan Sherlock who incidentally won the Hunky Dory's event on Saturday in Batterstown.
It was similar to racing in Belgium today. I am glad to have come down and raced here. It will have done me a lot of good. We have a hectic programme coming up, so these racing kms will be of enormous benefit," said Conor McConvey of An Post.
There was no hiding place for anybody here today. It was go from the line. I had a number of forays in the front. Evidently there were no guys in the bunch who took Sunday off," said Conor Murphy of EuroCycles.
Plus it was great to see our President (Not the one in the Phoenix Park) Rory Wyley of Iverk/Carrick Wheelers, closing down a breakaway group. Need I say more!
And finally, spare a thought or two for Mark Dowling of DID/Dunboyne. Puncturing in the last kilometer. “I was in the mix and who knows what the outcome would have been here today. On reflection, I am plagued with punctures. Think back to the An Post Ras, the Shay Elliott. Enough said.!” I am sure his day will come. Take a leaf out of Peter Hawkins book, need I say more!
Des Hanlon Memorial, Carlow,
A1/A2 Race (154kms -3 laps)
1. Peter Hawkins (IG Sigma Sport)
2. Ryan Sherlock (Cycleways)
3. Paidí O’Brien (Dan Morrissey/Speedy Spokes)
4. Thomas Martin (EuroCycles)
5. Conor Murphy (EuroCycles)
6. Damian Shaw (Lakeside Wheelers)
7. Colm Cassidy (UCD CC)
8. Connor McConvey (An Post Sean Kelly)
9. Mark Dowling (DID Dunboyne)
10. Sean Lacey (Dan Morrissey/Speedy Spokes)
A3 (2 laps)
1. Russell Treacy (St Finbarr's)
2. Thomas Fanning (Comeragh CC)
3. Thomas Fallon (Seven Springs)
4. Craig Arrigan (Orwell)
5. John McGuire (South East RC)
6. Owen White (Youghal CC)
7. Donal Harrington (Western Lakes CC)
8. Dylan Foley (St Finbarr's)
Juniors
1 S. Hallissey (Iverk/Carrick Wheelers)
2 D. Bruton (DID Dunboyne)
A4 Race (1 lap)
1. Derek Byrne (Laois CC)
2. Andrew Stanley (TCD)
3. Neil Long (Dublin Wheelers)
4. Phil O’Flaherty (Swords CC)
5. Leonard Foley (Carrick Wheelers)
6. Sean O’Malley (Western Lakes CC)
7. Neil Butler (Marble City)
8. Wayne Byrne (South East RC)
9. Seamie Brennan (Carlow RC)
10. Ger Moore (Cork County RC)
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CONNACHT LEAGUE
Results;
1st Eoin Whelan (Seven Springs)
2nd Daire Feely (Donamon)
3rd David Brody (TFH/Castlebar)
4th Ray Kirrane (TFH/Castlebar)
5th Graham O'Brien (Donamon)
6th Ronan Campbell (Galway Bay)
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CARN CLASSIC 2012
A Race
1. Stephen McKenna (Omagh Wheelers)
2. Marc Potts (Omagh Wheelers)
3. Joby Holman (Phoenix CC)
4. Cormac Clarke (Newry Wheelers)
5. Ryan McDermott (Westtyronevelo.com)
6. Stephen Hutchinson (East Tyrone)
7. Jonathan Dempsey (East Antrim)
8. Bobby Kane (Bann Wheelers)
9. Peter Kennedy (East Antrim)
10. Ivan Reid (Omagh Wheelers)
B Race
1. Clifford Blayney (North Down )
2. Michael Doherty (North Pole CC)
3. Sean McCann (Island Wheelers)
4. John McLaughlin (East Tyrone)
5. Glen Dunwoody (Orchard Shelbourne)
6. Kenny Doyle (North Pole CC)
7. Keith Millar (North Down)
8. Patrick Duffy (North Pole CC)
9. Stephen Fletcher (East Antrim Audi)
10. Patrick Kelly (Carn Wheelers)
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LUCAN GRAND PRIX - SATURDAY 24th March
Ryan Sherlock of Cycleways took the honours in the Hunky Dory Stagg Cycles Lucan Grand Prix held in Batterstown, Co. Meath today.
Initially, the A1's started off scratch, giving the A2's an advantage. But this was short lived when the eventual winner over 75 kilometers and runner-up Mark Kiernan made the junction to the leaders on the road. In the end it was Sherlock who took the win in the Hunky Dory promotion. Also this success will give Sherlock the impetus to do well tomorrow in the Des Hanlon promotion in Carlow. But the distance will double to 158kms whereas todays race was 75kms.
According to race organiser Shay Murphy 'the day was magnificent. A great turnout of 171 competitors and I also had the satisfaction of getting sun on my face; said Shay.
RESULTS
Hunky Dorys Stagg Cycles Lucan Grand Prix-A1/2 Race 75k-Batterstown
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A1/2 Race 80kms
1 Ryan Sherlock - Cycleways
2 Mark Kiernan - Murphy Surveys
3 Colm Laverty - Stamullen RC
4 John Dempsey - Carrick Wheelers
5 Willie Byrne - Murphy Surveys
6 Michael Barry - Cuchulainn CC
Unplaced A2's
1 Art McManus - South Dublin
2 Cian Lynch - Dunboyne
3 Sebastian Lomas - South Dublin
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A3 Race 62.5kms
1 Michael Hennessey - Fixx Coffee House
2 Barry Dunne - Orwell Wheelers
3 Noel McGlynn - UCD
4 Donnacha O'Brien - Cork County
5 Wayne Doolin - U/A
6 Eoin McGovern - Usher Irish Road Club
1st Junior - Jamie Noone - Sorrento
1st Lady - Laura Bamfield - Swords CC
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A4 Race 62.5kms
1 Joe Christian - South East Road Club
2 Mark Kelly - U/A
3 Martin Gilbert - Swords CC
4 Joe Rossiter - Barrow Wheelers
5 Declan Luby - Usher Irish Road Club
6 Neil Hudson - Orwell Wheelers
Results courtesy of Ronan Baxter of the Stagg Cycles CC
Pictures courtesy Peter Purfield
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Cicli Sport GP - East Tyrone
Results
A Race 90kms
1. Marc Potts - Omagh Wheelers
2. Peter Williams - Curran Racing
3. Philip Bremner - Lakeland CC
4. Drew McKinley - Newry Wheelers
5. Christopher Beattie - Ballymena Road Club
6. Ivan Reid - Omagh Wheelers
B Race 65kms
1. Paul McCerter - Omagh Wheelers
2. Karl Taylor - Ballymena Road Club
3. Mark Doherty - North Pole CC
4. Robert Stewart - East Tyrone CC
5. Karl Dolan - Omagh Wheelers
6. Sean McCann - Island Wheelers
Masters Race 40kms
1. Noel Munnis - North Down
2. Turlough Montague - Phoenix CC
3. James McFarland - Ards CC
4. Paul McGuckin - Banbridge CC
5. Shay Giles - North Pole CC
6. Eamon McConvey - Newry Wheelers
1st Woman: Sinead Rivers - Roe Valley
U16 Race: Aaron Swan - TSC Racing
U14 Race: Jake Gray - East Tyrone CC