RACING IN FERMOY
The racing in Munster centred in Fermoy, Co. Cork on Sunday 1st April. This was the Silver Pail GP and we had two entrants in the A3 category. And both Pat Bergin and Eamon Hartnett finished well up in the main bunch. They were both unfortunate to miss the break of 15 riders however, some good bike handling and a little luck saved them both when a nasty crash occured near the end putting an end to the hopes of several riders.
Last week, the racing was in Carlow - the Des Hanlon Memorial and we had two riders in A3 - Pat Bergin and Shane Scully and two in A4 - Tommy Hanrahan and Liam Callaghan and all four men finished in the bunch in their relevant categories. Eamon Hartnett did not finish.
Pat and Eamon in the bunch at Fermoy.
SUMMER TRAINING TIMES
As John O'Carroll has just informed all members, this Sunday sees training starting at 9am and Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 6pm. Club racing starts on April 12th. The race calendar will be on the web site shortly.
There is an étape (sportive) in the Ras Mumhan on 6th April in Co Kerry.
ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE
The Wheeler's, for the second year running entered an imaginative and attractive float into this year's parade. The plan was drawn up in committee with the assistance of some non-committee members and the hard work was done by John and Bobby Spillane, John O'Carroll, Liam Callaghan, Duncan Hodgins, Tommy Hanrahan, Eamon Hartnett, Peter Moynan, Vic Nott and Tracy McKeon so well done to all of them and also to the other members who turned up on the day to take part. The float would not be possible without the always good-humoured assistance of Padraig Whelan of Shanbally Transport and his lorry and Eamon Spillane and his van. Also this year, considerable signage was used and that was completed for us by Ken Hassett - so very many thanks to all three lads. The intention of the float is to promote the club and keep it in the public eye and this was done very well on the day as we received many compliments and good wishes.
CARRICK-ON-SUIR
A great weekend for the Wheelers! Tommy Hanrahan in only his second race took a well-earned 6th place in the A4 race in Carrick-on-Suir on St. Patrick's Day. This is the first placing for the Wheelers this season and by the way the lads are racing, it certainly won't be the last! Eamon Hartnett, Shane Scully and Paddy Rohan all finished well up in the bunch after working hard to help the bunch bridge the gap on a break. A great result all round. Well done lads!
Tommy Hanrahan taking 6th place in the A4 race in Carrick-on-Suir
RAS LUIMNI
Four of the Wheelers took part in Ras Luimni on Sunday 11th March. Paddy Rohan, Pat Bergin and Shane Scully entered in the A3s and Shane finished with a Top 10 placing which is even more creditable when he had raced in the Dromineer Duathlon the day before and taken the fastest time! Both Paddy and Pat completed in the 90k race in the bunch just behind Shane.
In the A4s, Tommy Hanrahan was taking part in his first open race and he successfully completed the course with a Top 20 finish. A great start to the season and congratulations to all four lads!
Shane Scully, who finished in the Top 10 of A3s.
WHEELERS RIDING FOR LEUKEMIA
Liam Callaghan, Pat Bergin, Aidan Killeen and Eoin Woolley at Cratloe who took part in the Children's Charity Cycle for Leukemia. 
MOUNTAIN BIKING CONTINUES
Taken last Sunday, the picture shows Aidan Killeen, Liam Callaghan, David Moynan and Pat Bergin enjoying the clear, cold mountain air.
CYCLIST OF THE YEAR 2011
At the North Tipperary Wheelers Christmas party in The Thatched Cottage on Saturday 10th December, Pat Bergin was revealed as Cyclist of the Year for 2011. A great achievement for a man who only started cycling with the club in July 2010. He has trained hard and through his own determination not only turned out for nearly every race but also took an amazing number of podium places. The whole club salutes and congratulates him!
Pat Bergin receiving his prize and one of three trophies from Tracy McKeon
THANK YOU
A most sincere thanks to all the club members who assisted in presenting me with such beautiful flowers and a truly great present! A special thanks to Peter, Duncan and John O'C! From Jan.
2011 CLUB HILL CLIMB CHAMPION IS PAT BERGIN
Pat Bergin - Club Hill Climb Champion for 2011
In only his second season of racing, Pat Bergin has captured two out of three Club Championship titles - a remarkable feat and he is to be congratulated. He took the Hill Climb trophy on Sunday 25th September in truly horrible conditions - rain, wind and the road carpeted with fallen leaves! Liam Callaghan took second - just 30 seconds behind and Mikey Connors was 3rd in his first Championship placing. The fastest time went to Eamon Hartnett in 9.01 with Pat 2 secs. behind him and Tommy Hanrahan in 3rd.
That was the final race of the season and the next item is the club Get-Together in Una Powell's pub next Saturday night.