Heartbroken Richardson out of luck again

A HUGE crowd of cyclists packed the roads all around the townland of Gormalough on Sunday, to take part in the Boyne GP cycle races promoted by Drogheda Wheelers CC.

In total there were four separate races catering for all senior category riders and the entries swelled to almost 400.

The Senior A2 race was the first event to leave the start line, with riders having to complete seven laps of a local 12km circuit.

Throughout the entire race, there were groups of riders constantly breaking off the front of the main field, only to be hauled back on each occasion. At the end of 84km race, it was young Adam Stenson from Team Bikeworx CC who claimed a clear victory.

The Senior A4 race featured a massive field of 120 riders, racing over five laps (60km), and despite fast racing over the entire race, heading up the long finishing straight, approximately 90 riders were still in contention for overall victory.

As the chequered flag was waved it was Shane Smith from Moynalty CC who burst out of the pack within sight of the line to score his second win of the season.

Smith was followed closely in second place by Callum 0’Toole from Orwell CC, with Stamullen Road Club rider Sean Landers finishing a close third. Honours in the Ladies section went to Catherine McAteer from the Garda CC.

Then at lunchtime the Senior A1 racers set out on their eight-lap event, and shortly after the drop of the flag, just as the riders were flat out, disaster struck for one of the pre-race favourites, Slane man Ian Richardson from UCD.

Richardson suffered a serious mechanical failure, breaking his wheel and ruling him totally out of the race. Richardson was only returning to the saddle, having nursed an injured knee over the past few weeks.

At the half-way stage, a six-man group detached themselves off the front of the race and built up a 48-second lead. It looked like these riders would stay out clear for the remainder of the race, but the chasing riders put down the boot, rode their hearts out and caught the leading break.

With two laps remaining the whole field were regrouped, but from this time onwards further attacks were launched by Matteo Cigala, who lives in Navan and races with Aqua Blue Academy team, along with Lucan CC rider Con McDunphy.

These two riders were chased hard by an eight-man group and just as the riders linked up with the leading duo, McDunphy made a final jump, quickly building up a lead which he held right to the finish.

Cuchulainn CC rider Liam Dolan from Dundalk, who shared the workload throughout the race, eventually claimed seventh place.

In the Senior A3 race, which was held over six laps, 18-yearold Shane Ryall from the Nicolas Roche Performance team took a fine victory.

Following a most successful day’s racing, Drogheda Wheelers chairman, Supt Andrew Watters, thanked all of the race stewards who had such a long day’s duty out on the many road junctions, keeping the riders safe. He thanked his own colleagues and everyone involved in making the day a wonderful success.

Finally, he thanked all of the residents in the Gormalough area, who were so accommodating of these races which were held on their doorsteps.