Cycleways Cup and Newbridge Grand Prix

For the last fortnight the Martin Cadden sponsored Eire Og Racing Team have been back in action on the national racing circuit. Although it is a reduced team that has been lining out in recent weeks it is hoped that the approach of fairer weather will bring the rest of the riders back out on the road.

2 weeks ago the Cadden sponsored squad was represented by Basil Freeman, Turlough Mooney and Daire Mooney at the Cycleways Cup in Navan Co. Meath. Turlough Mooney and basil Freeman acquitted themselves well in the combined race and finished well to the fore of the bunch at the end of a hard fought 100km race. In the 1st category race Daire Mooney was living proof that the rock and roll lifestyle does not mix well with bike racing and suffered badly to finish well down the field. Hopefully over the next few weeks he can get the thumb out and concentrate on the job in hand.!

This weekend saw the same squad of riders travel to Newbridge in Co. Kildare for The Newbridge Grand Prix. Again Turlough Mooney and Basil Freeman rode strongly in the combined race and were unlucky to miss the break that got away in the midst of a torrential hailstorm. Both riders tried on numerous occasions to bridge the gap to the leaders but eventually finished in the top 20 riders over 1 minute down on the winner Philip Lavery from Dublin. In the 1st category race over 120 km Daire Mooney was the lone Eire Og Cadden sponsored rider, and although he performed better than the previous week with a finish in the main bunch he was still well below par and still looking to improve.

Next week the squad tackle the Downpatrick –Armagh Classic race a race which was run off in atrocious conditions last year, hopefully the sun will shine on them this time around.

Training continues on Saturday mornings from Markievicz Park at 9. All are welcome.