RESULT OF THE 12 MILE ROAD RACE
Continuing our search for new race routes, last Thursday we returned to one that the Wheelers have not used for several years and it proved to be a hard and testing course - and that was from Donal Ryans, the old N7 and the road up to the Silvermines, finishing at the hall. Inspite of the weather not being the best, the sign-on was the largest seen for a little while. In the flat race Liam Callaghan took third spot just seconds behind Pat Bergin in second and in the race result, young Darren Dunne in his first club race took third effortlessly with Pat Bergin again taking second, but the man who did the double whammy of race and flat times was Shane Scully. On the night, we welcomed two visiting riders from the Limerick club, Mark and Andrew. Well done to all who took part.
Shane Scully about to check where the opposition had got to!
ROUTE FOR THURSDAY 17th
There is a 12 mile road race on Thursday 17th - starting between the Tullaheady road and Donal Ryan's, following the old N7 to the Silvermines turn this side of The Roundhill and finishing opposite the Silvermines Community Hall.
Meeting place is Moynan's shop, time is 6.30pm and the entry fee is €5.
TOUR OF LOUGH DERG
The Wheelers are holding their annual Tour of Lough Derg on Sunday 27th May. This year, the format is slightly different. There will be two groups doing the 120k (72ml) course - one leaving at 9.30am and averaging 14 mph and the second leaving at 10.30am and averaging a minimum of 18mph. The tour starts and finishes at The Lakeside Hotel in Ballina, Co. Tipp and the course is from the hotel through Killaloe to Scariff and on to Portumna Forest Park where there will be a food stop for both groups. And on then to Nenagh and aalong the N52 bypass to Portroe and to Ballina. The only two hills are the drag at Ongonalloe and Portroe Hill. There will be refreshments available before, during and after the tour - showers and spot prizes. A broom wagon, lead car, motor cycle marshals, gardai and an ambulance will also be in attendance.
The sign-on fee is €15 with a CI licence and €25 for a one-day licence. Any further details from 087-1374354.
Lough Derg
J.MOYNAN TT SERIES – No.2
The weather last Thursday evening could not have been more miserable for a cycle race but still the sign-on was very good indeed. And many of the riders plied their way around the 10 mile circuit of Kilkeary, Ballinamona, Toomevara, Lisboney in very good, and often, much improved times. The fastest man on the night was Eamon Hartnett with an excellent 24.31 and very close behind him was Liam O'Callaghan in 25.08 with Pat Bergin only a whisker away on 25.16. When time adjustments were made two riders had improved on their previous times by a considerable amount - Liam took third place while Margaret Hogan took a very well deserved second place and the winner of TT2 was John O'Carroll. Well done also to Niall Keller who rode a very good time for his first-ever TT!
John O'Carroll arriving in Toomevara on his way to win TT2
ROUTE FOR TT2
The second TT in the J. Moynan Series will be held tomorrow night on the Kilkeary, Ballinamona, Toomevara, Lisboney circuit - a distance of 10 miles. The meeting place is Moynan's Cycle shop, the time is 6.30pm and the sign-on fee is €5. Anyone running late can go straight to Kilkeary.
THE LOOKOUT TROPHY
Last Thursday, it was the turn of The Lookout Trophy on the Wheeler's racing calendar and unlike the relentless rain of last year, we had a glorious evening for racing; sunny, calm and quite warm. Margaret Hogan put in another brilliant performance against her male counterparts, taking a well-deserved third place while Aidan Killen took a fine second place and Duncan Hodgins took his first win of the season with a very strong ride up the 5 mile drag from Ballina to The Lookout. In the flat race, Shane Scully took an impressive fastest time with his brother Gary taking third and sandwiched between them in second place was Pat Bergin.
Duncan Hodgins taking the win at The Lookout.
J.MOYNAN TT SERIES NO.1
The TT Series kicked off last Thursday evening on what must have been the coldest evening of the year! But in spite of the north-east wind, a good many riders took the challenge and some surprisingly good times were posted. The course was Yellow Bridge - Birdhill - Yellow Bridge which is 10 miles. Pat Bergin completed the course in 24.47 for 3rd place while Eamon Hartnett secured 2nd spot with 24.06 but in spite of the cold and the strong wind, the man of the day was Shane Scully. setting a new course record of 23.35.
On Sunday last, four of our racers went to Castleisland and while they all finished well, it was Paddy Rohan who secured a well-earned 7th place in the A3 race and very well done to him!
Shane Scully scorching his way towards a new course record
BRIAN TAKES HIS FIRST WIN
The first road race of the season was ridden last Thursday evening and there was a really big turnout which was great to see. The weather was kind to us and the rain held off for most of the time after what had been a very wet afternoon. As our routes are rapidly disappearing due to various "improvements", we tried a new one and we were delighted that it worked well and was well received by the riders. And that was Kilkeary, Ballinamona, Toomevara with the finish at Lisboney - a distance of 10 miles and an undulating course. As they headed for the finish line, there was a great battle between four riders and the final order was John Spillane in 4th, Duncan Hodgins in 3rd, John O'Carroll in 2nd and in 1st place, Brian O'Neill taking his first win with the Wheelers. Well done to all on a great race!
Brian O'Neill leads the charge
RAS MUMHAN
Eamon Hartnett spent the four days of the Easter weekend racing in the very taxing Ras Mumhan around the roads of Co. Kerry and in spite of being on his own with no team around him and in appalling weather on the final day, he completed the race and he is to be congratulated on his performance. Well done, Eamon!
Eamon Hartnett
RACING STARTS!
The racing season is upon us once again and we kicked off last Thursday with a 10 mile 2-Up Time Trial. This was the first time several of the riders had tried a 2-Up and it proved to be very popular and also very close on times which were not handicapped. The time is given as the second rider crosses the line so a lot of hard work has to be done by both riders. The duo with the fastest time were Pat Bergin and John O'Carroll with 25.59 closely followed by Liam Callaghan and Kevin Byrne on 26.06. Brendan Delaney and Shaun Payne were just a minute behind with Aidan Killeen and Eamon Hartnett hot on their heels. John Mccarthy finished the course on his own in a very creditable 31.36 after his duo partner, Shane Scully had punctured.
John O'Carroll and Pat Bergin taking the fastest time in the 2-Up TT. Photo: Vic Nott