EIRE OG CYCLING CLUB

On Thursday evening last in Collooney the biggest event in the 2010 Irish cycling calendar got off to a flying start when the Martin Cadden sponsored Eire Og Racing Team hosted the Irish Cycling Championships. The Championships kicked off with the National Time Trial Championships being decided on a 40 km stretch of the N4 dual carriageway. Fastest rider on the day was last years winner David Mc Cann of the Giant squad. He finished over 2 minutes ahead of Martyn Irvine of Planet X and Aaron Buggle of UV Aube. Olivia Dillon of Peanut Butter & Co also successfully defended her title in the ladies event. Local riders Michael Devins & Alex Carey of the Cadden Eire Og Team put in a strong showing in the Vets category but finished outside of the medals. Innisfree Wheelers also had a number of riders taking part with Collette Hennigan riding very well in the ladies race and a good display also from Seamus Mc Gowan and Timmy Mc Carthy in the Vets race. Paul Kehoe rode strongly in the senior race and was unlucky to not to go under the hour for the 40km course. It was also great to see John Goldrick and Alan O Kelly taking part in the tandem category.

Next up was the Ladies Road Race Championships on Saturday Morning. Collette Hennigan was once again among the starters and was in some very high class company with Olivia Dillon, Louise Moriarty, Siobhan Horgan and last years winner Heather Wilson on the start list. The race came down to a sprint finish between Dillon and Horgan with Dillon just pipping Horgan on the line and Fiona Meade of St. Finbarrs CC taking the bronze. Again local girl Collette showed great determination and finished the race well.

Saturday afternoon saw the Veterans Championships decided over 8 laps of a tough 9 mile circuit between Collooney and Ballymote. The hosting club had a strong field lining up in this race with team leader Alex Carey ably supported by Basil Freeman and Michael Devins. Midway through the race a strong group of 14 riders formed an escape group and quickly built up a lead of 2 minutes. Amongst the riders in this group were defending champ Rory Wyley of Carrick Wheelers and both Sean and Colm Bracken from Dublin. This group split up with 2 laps to go when Usher IRC rider Greg Swinand jumped away from the break and took David Peelo of Kilcullen CC with him. These 2 rode well together and stayed away to sprint it out for the win with Peelo taking the victory from Swinand. Heading up the chasers for the bronze medal position was Colm Bracken of Kilcullen also. The Cadden boys all performed well and finished well up in the main field.

Sunday’s event was the Elite Men’s Road Race. From the outset it was going to be a hotly contested affair with Nicolas Roche, Dan Martin, David Mc Cann and David o Loughlin and his Sean Kelly squad all on the start line. A lead group of about 12 riders formed on the second of 11 laps on the 9 mile race circuit which included the ultra steep ascent of Tullyhill.

This group included all the main protagonists of the race and were never seen by the main field for the rest of the race. They rode tactically with all riders contributing well until the penultimate lap which saw first Mc Cann and then Martin shredding the group with some hard attacks on the hill. Eventually they were brought back and Nicolas Roche went away with Matt Brammeier of the An Post Sean Kelly squad on his wheel. The quickly opened a 20 second gap and arrived in sight of the line together with 200 metres to go. Most eyes at this stage were on Roche but Brammeier had other ideas and showed his class by taking the Gold medal over 2 lengths clear of a disappointed Roche. Dan Martin rounded out the podium coming in just ahead Of Mc Cann and O Loughlin. Within the U23 category Sam Bennett of VC La Pomme took the gold from Dominic Jelfs and Thomas Martin.

The Junior race also took place on Sunday with Jack Wilson of East Antrim beating Adam Raynor and Ewan Mc Donald.

A great weekend of cycling for riders and spectators alike the Eire Og Team put on a great show and are already looking forward to next years event. An event like this would not have been a success without the help of our sponsors, Glencar Water, Garys Cycles, Sligo Borough Council, Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership, Whats On In Sligo.Com, Black Rose Studios and Connollys Bar. We would also like to thank the Sligo, Ballymote and Collooney Gardai who provided support for all the races and made sure the riders were safe on the road. Race marshals over the weekend also provided excellent support and we would like to thank them for their time, even those who did not show up..! For pictures of the race and full results check out www.irishcyclingchamps.com

Irish road race championships, Sligo

Elite road race (11 laps, 150.7 kilometres)

1, Matt Brammeier (An Post Grant Thornton M. Donnelly Sean Kelly)
2, Nicolas Roche (Ag2r La Mondiale) same time
3, Dan Martin (Garmin Transitions) at 16 secs
4, David McCann (Giant Asia) same time
5, David O’Loughlin (An Post Grant Thornton M. Donnelly Sean Kelly)

Under 23:

1, Sam Bennett (VC La Pomme)
2, Dominic Jefls (UC Aubenas)
3, Thomas Martin Eurocycles Eurobaby)

Junior:

1, Jack Wilson (Audi East Antrim) 2 hours 40 mins 58 secs
2, Adam Rayner (Orchard CC)
3, Ewan McDonald (Epic)