Wheelers duo ready to race in Junior Tour
TWO Drogheda Wheelers men are about to embark on one of the toughest tests of endurance in the sport as the Junior Tour of Ireland gets under way in Ennis today (Tuesday).
This is the biggest junior cycle race in the country and one of the most prestigious in the world, with teams taking part from America, South Africa, Holland and the UK as well as 60 Irish riders.
Much of the racing between now and Sunday takes place on the busy Wild Atlantic Way, and this evening Wheelers men Ben McCourt and James McMorrow together with the rest of the large field begin with a 6.4km time-trial.
Tomorrow there’ll be a road race in the west of County Clare, finishing in Kilkee, and Stage 3 brings the 121 competitors across the Cliffs of Moher, before a fast finish in Ennis. The following two days will throw over 120km of hardship at the lads each day, finishing in Ballyvaughan and Cratloe respectively, while the final stage will see a criterium race around Ennis.
McCourt is cycling as part of Team Leinster, while McMorrow is guesting with Greenmount Cycling Academy, which originates near the race headquarters in Ennis.
Speaking ahead of the start, Wheelers secretary Ger Campbell praised the local duo, suggesting that after recent strong results they have a great chance of success.
Meanwhile, round three of The Mark Mullen League took place in Donore last week, promoted by Drogheda Wheelers.
Adrian Pretorius took the win after six laps of the 6.4km circuit, just ahead of Wheelers’ new man Terence Diehl in second. League leader Liam Hanley was fourth, beating Julianstown native Javan Nulty into fifth, with Patrick Carolan (Drogheda Wheelers) ninth.
In the underage league Seamus Connor from the promoting club stormed to victory, ahead of clubmate Niall Browne. Pearce Gorman from Stamullen RC rounded off the podium, with Bryan Keelan (Drogheda Wheelers) and Christian Dunne fourth and fifth.
Ahead of taking on the challenge in Clare, McMorrow showed his strength as he won the final round of the Ardee Ferdia League on Tuesday last, ahead of club mate Jack O’Donnell in second.
Aidan Leonard (Carrickmacross) was crowned champion.
O’Donnell and McMorrow continued their success in the Ballivor Grand Prix on Saturday, claiming first and second unplaced junior, while local man Simon Jones put in a strong display to finish fifth.
On Friday, Tullyallen native Ciaran Connor continued his recent form in the Banbridge criterium, finishing a strong fourth, while the previous week U-14 rider Connor claimed victory in the Clann Eireann criterium in Lurgan, sprinting to victory from the main group.
With a national championships in this section taking place in August, the Wheelers man has a great chance of a strong result.
Last weekend was rounded off with the Moynalty GP where Stamullen RC man Sean Landers was second in the A3 race, with Wheelers’ Gavin Byrne ninth A4.
Earlier, in the youth events, Ciaran Connor was fifth in the U-14 age group, with teammates Bryan Keelan and Alex Byrne also finishing strongly in their debut races.