Drogheda Independent

Cycleways joy for Carnec as Slane ace misses home race

-

IAN Richardson was denied the opportunit­y to compete on home ground in Sunday’s Cycleways Cup races as he missed the start of the season through injury.

The Slane native, third in the same race 12 months ago, had been expected to feature in the placings after a hugely successful 2016, but instead he is receiving treatment for a knee problem.

In all, 320 cyclists from all over the country signed on at Simonstown GAA headquarte­rs for Sunday’s Cycleways Cup, promoted by Navan Road Club.

The races got underway in very high winds and driving rain, but this did not deter the competitor­s who have trained all through the winter season for these races. While lots of sporting events were cancelled on Sunday, the riders faced the weather conditions without complaint.

The Senior A1-A2 race for the Cycleways Cup was contested over three laps of the usual rolling circuit, through Gormalough, Slane, Woodtown and Wilkinstow­n.

Right from the start the speed was high, with no real let-up. Occasional­ly, breaks would form at the front of the bunch, but each time their efforts were fruitless.

When the riders got the bell signalling the start of the final lap, only 10 seconds covered the whole field.

Leaving Slane for the final time, two riders - Louis Carnec from UCD and Con McDunphy from Lucan CC - managed to escape and build up a 35-second lead which they held right to the finish, despite a great solo effort by Mark Dowling from Velo Revolution CC to close down the gap.

At the finish it was Carnec who proved strongest from McDunphy, with Dowling coming home gallantly in third place.

Neighbouri­ng Summerhill was the venue for Saturday’s Mick Lally Memorial Races, promoted by Dublin Wheelers CC, and again very strong winds battered the cyclists from the start point all the way through to the finish.

At the end of the Senior A1A2 race over 88km it was Paul Kennedy from Newcastle West in Co Limerick who made the long journey worthwhile when he took the honours.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Ireland