ICL Round 6 Argory Road Race

Date:                     20/05/2014
Event: ICL Round 6 Road Race
Venue:                  Argory Circuit
Host Club:           Island Wheelers

Tuesday evening saw Island Wheelers host stage 6 of the ICL on the tough Argory Circuit with another fantastic turn out of ICL members and a few guest riders from neighboring clubs. With such a crowd and with changing weather conditions there was sure to be a hard nights racing ahead.

As was the case on the first race of the season at Annaghmore, the evenings racing was kicked off by a very competitive u10 race which was won by Oisin Ferrity closely followed by clubmate Adam Raffety with Clann Eireann’s Jack Fleville rounding out the podium in 3^rd place. First girl was taken by Maria McAllister of Island Wheelers on her first ever race, well done Maria keep up the good work.

Following a request from the u14 riders it was agreed that they would complete two laps of the challenging Argory Circuit. This race was exceptionally marshaled once again with a few of our Island Wheelers accompanying the race. This race was aggressive from the start and was won by Thomas Steenson of Island Wheelers. Second place was decided by a photo finish in which it was deemed Ruiri Grimes of Clann Eireann took 2^nd from Darren Rafferty in 3^rd. Clann Eireanns Erin O’Neill was the first girl home with another very strong performance.

Thanks to all those who marshaled the youth event and to those who chaperoned the races, we are getting a bigger turn out every time and it is great to see the club and ICL taking such an interest in promoting youth cycling.

As for the main event, we had a handicapped race with four groups on the road set off with time gaps of, 3, 3 & 2. The lap 1 prime has been a welcome addition to the races this year and has been hotly contested at the races in which I have been at with tonight being no different. Island Wheelers took first and second through Matthew McAllister followed by James McCourt. Clann Eireann’s Aaron Heaney wrapped up the remaining points on the line.

With bad weather threatening all evening the skies opened on the first of 5 laps and made for the race conditions to be that little bit more difficult. Thank fully the rain did not last but the racing was to continue under grey skies and wet roads. The handicaps proved to be well judged with the groups only starting to come together at the bell. Unfortunately for scratch, the 30 seconds gap they had at the bell was to be as close they were to come to regaing contact as the main bunch continued to work hard and actually increased the gap on the last lap.

The sprint finish was inevitable and was taken in style by a flying Colin McCloskey of Apollo CT. Kenneth McConaughey of Clann Eireann took second from Richard Grimes (CE) in Third. Dean Burnside (IW) took fourth place from Raymond Rocks (IW). Whilst his teammates were off sunning themselves at a mid season training camp in Portugal, Orchard CC’s Richard Timmins was representing in style with 6^th place in the bunch sprint. Whilst on the subject of mid season training camps; Island Wheelers very own Aidan Lafferty fresh from a week in Majorca took a fine 7^th place on his new wheels, chapeau Aidan. Island Wheelers wrapped up the remaining placings, which can be seen below.

Well done to everyone this evening on a great event and thanks to all of the marshalls involved, especially Nigel Flanagan for organizing such a great race.

Youth Race u10
1^st        Oisin Ferrity               Island Wheelers
2^nd       Adam Rafferty Island Wheelers
3^rd       Jack Fleville                Island Wheelers

1^st Girl Maria McAllister Island Wheelers

Youth Race u14
1^st        Thomas Steenson Island Wheelers
2^nd       Ruiri Grimes Clann Eireann
3^rd       Darren Rafferty Island Wheelers

1^st Girl Erin O’Neill Clann Eireann

Sprint Prime
1^st        Matthew McAllister   Island Wheelers
2^nd       James McCourt          Island Wheelers
3^rd       Aaron Heaney            Clann Eireann

Main Race
1^st        Colin McCloskey Apollo CT
2^nd       Kenneth McConaughey        Clann Eireann
3^rd       Richard Grimes Clann Eireann
4^th       Dean Burnside Island Wheelers
5^th       Raymond Rocks Island Wheelers
6^th       Richard Timmins Orchard Wheelers
7^th       Aidan Lafferty Island Wheelers
8^th       Keiran Talbot Island Wheelers
9^th       John Ferrity Island Wheelers
10^th     Keiran Gilligan Island Wheelers