ICL Round 2 – Annaghmore RR

Date:                     15/04/2014
Event:                   Interclub Road Race Round 1
Host Club:           Island Wheelers

On a perfect evening for Road Racing Island Wheelers welcomed a bumper field of 74 riders to the first Road Race of the 2014 Interclub League. The race was backed up with a Youth Race comprised of U10, U12 and U14 riders was set of with handicaps of one minute between each group.

U10 Rider Scott Roberts (Island Wheelers) attacked from the gun setting the tone for the race and held his advantage until he hit the Blackisland Road section where Darren Rafferty (Island Wheelers) made the catch. After sitting on for a few seconds and catching his breath, Darren made his bid for glory and attacked with some distance still to race and soloed to an impressive victory. Ciaron Cahoon and Peadar Quinn of Clann Eireann were next over the line followed closely by early escapee Scott Roberts and Erin O’Neill of Clann Eireann who crossed the line as first of the girls. We would like to congratulate all of the youth riders in what was a fantastic race and look forward to seeing many more of you back in the near future.

The main event of the evening was set off in four groups with handicaps of 3 – 3 – 3 & 2 minutes. With such a large field the racing was always going to be fast and the scratch riders had their work cut out for them if they were to fight for the win. The incentive of a first lap sprint prime added another dimension to the racing early on and was hotly contested by the front group. Andy Dunwoody of Orchard CC was expertly lead out by his team mate Mark Evans and took maximum points for the first prime of the 2014 Season. The remaining points were taken by Connor Boyle (U16) and Matthew McAllister (U16) both of host club Island Wheelers and I think all riders will agree it was a great addition to the race, with some riders (Mark Evans Orchard CC) even contesting a sprint at the end of Lap 2 hoping to gain some valuable points.
The racing continued to be fast with the front two groups on the road now joined and holding an advantage of 2:10 and 2:30 over the second and scratch groups going into the last lap. The lead was not to last as the strong men came to the fore and dragged the leaders back on the climb up past Clive Richardson’s setting up a fiercely contested sprint finish.
The sprint was taken by the on form Clann Eireann fast man Declan Mulholland followed by Andrew Stewart of Orchard CC who took second place on the line from our very own Paul Quinn who sat up just that little bit too early. Glenn Dunwoody (Orchard CC) took a strong fourth place from James Wilson then Andy McGibbon both of Appollo CT. Island Wheelers took 7^th & 8^th with Cathal McLaughlin & Noel McLoughlin finishing ahead of Ethan Fleville (Clann Eireann) with Kenny McConaughey (we think??) rounding off the points for the top ten.

Island Wheelers would like to thank all those who participated and we hope you enjoyed the first Road Race of the Interclub League.  We would like to thank all of the marshalls and once again, special praise must go to Gary Rafferty for organising the youth event and James McLaughlin for organising the main event. These races will not continue without the support of everyone in the club so thanks again to all involved.

*It would also be very helpful going forward if those who believe they had placing in the Top Ten and Lap One Prime would come to the finish at the end to help identify which riders placed were. This will inevitably help all those involved and will take a lot less pressure off the race organisers.

Youth Event:
1^st           Darren Rafferty – Island Wheelers
2^nd          Ciaron Cahoon – Clann Eireann
3^rd           Peadar Quinn – Clann Eireann
4^th           Scott Roberts – Island Wheelers

1^st Girl:  Erin O’Neill  – Clann Eireann

Sprint Prime:
1^st           Andy Dunwoody – Orchard CC
2^nd          Conor Boyle – Island Wheelers
3^rd           Matthew McAllister – Island Wheelers

Main Event:
1^st           Declan Mulholland – Clann Eireann
2^nd          Andrew Stewart – Orchard CC
3^rd           Paul Quinn – Island Wheelers
4^th           Glen Dunwoody – Orchard CC
5^th           James Wilson – Apollo CT
6^th           Andy McGibbon – Apollo CT
7^th           Cathal McLaughlin – Island Wheelers
8^th           Noel McLoughlin – Island Wheelers
9^th           Ethan Fleville – Clann Eireann
10^th         Kenny McConaughey (????)

 

Video

Finish line sprint