The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Pierse takes road race points after sprint win
ROUND 5 of the Cycling Clubs of Kerry Road Race League, hosted by Sliabh Luachra CC, saw a cracking finish on the 6.5km circuit starting and finishing in Gneeveguilla.
Almost 60 riders took part in the senior race and following the timed start where the A4s got a 2.30 minutes start and the A3s a one-minute start it all came together on lap four of six. Just as this happened Oran Pierse (Tralee Manor West iBike) and Leigh Hewerdine (Killarney CC) jumped clear.
And it was Pierse that took the win, coming from behind in a sprint finish to take maximum points in the League. Another Killarney CC rider Conor Kissane took 3rd followed by Tralee Manor West iBike duo Ciaran Slattery and Barry Horgan with Killarney CC’s Mike Murphy riding into the final points scoring place on the night.
There was a good spread in the U-12s with three clubs represented in the top 3. Killarney CC’s Shane Galvin took the win from Killorglin’s Aona O’Shea with Kingdom CC’s Adam Lenihan in third.
Adam’s teammates Zac Boyle was 4th and Eoin Hilliard Kingdom while Killarney CC’s Josh Hewerdine was 6th to complete a good night for the family.
Sean Barrett, Tralee Manor West iBike, was an impressive winner of the U-14 race. His team mate Eoin Maloney came home just behind him. Killorglin CC’s Tadgh O’Shea took 3rd just ahead of O’Leary Stone Kanturk rider Ronan Leahy. The final League points went to two Killarney CC riders Stefan Caulfield Drier and Ethan Slattery.
The U-16s section on the night was dominated by Tralee Manor West iBike with David Fitzgerald just getting the win ahead of Kieran Coggins. Jake Deering and Robbie Scott enjoyed a good battle with the former taking 3rd. Host club Sliabh Luachra showed their underage strength with Pat Sheehan and Kieran Dalton taking 5th and 6th.
Time Trial
IT’S back to Time Trial action this Thursday with the latest round of the iBike Time Trial League. In the last individual round Denis Dunworth equalled the course record but has since been out with a virus. He will be aiming to set a new record before the end of the League.
Lacey leads into Killorglin Grand Prix
THE Killorglin CC club is well used to hosting big Cycling Events and the Grand Prix as part of the National Road Race series takes place on Sunday July 17. IT is the 9th of 12 rounds with a prize fund €3,000 from Cycling Ireland on offer and €670 going to the winner.
There will be action for all ages with the U-12s racing over 6.3km. The full lap distance is 16.4km and the U-14s complete one lap and the U-16s two laps.
Underage racing starts at 11am with sign on from 9.20am while the Senior racing starts at 1pm.
In the Senior races the A1s and A2s will race over seven laps of the course.
On the overall table Tralee’s Sean Lacey leads the standings from Conor Hennebery and Daire Feely.