The first race of the league for beginners and under age cyclists promoted by Dan Morrissey Carrick Wheelers was held on Monday evening last, and it attracted 24 enthusiastic young riders to the start in Faugheen village just outside Carrick on Suir.
There was a good mixture of newcomers and more experienced young cyclists registered to take part in the six race league, with the first race an individual time trial of one lap of the two mile Faugheen circuit. With the league open to boys and girls aged 10 to 16 years old there was obviously going to be big differences in the various times recorded, and these times will then be used to work out a time handicap system for the first road race event.
The time trial resulted in a fine win for Sean Hahessy in a time of 5 mins 39 secs, with Michael O’Loughlin the only one to get close to him with 5 mins 50 secs in second place. These two have been racing for a number of years now and are showing great promise for the future, and are an example of the progress that can be made in a short few years, as both of them started racing in previous leagues organised by Carrick Wheelers.
They were followed home by Conal Conroy in third place, with Eoin Smith, Scott Bennett and Cillian Power completing the top six in that order. Caoimhe Kelly was fastest of the girls in a fine time of 8 mins and 34 secs, and will again battle it out with the boys over the coming weeks when the time handicap comes into effect.
Next week the cyclists will be divided into two separate races, with the younger ones competing in the one lap race, while the older ones will race over three laps. The time handicaps will be based on the time trial results and therefore everyone will have a chance to win, and hopefully will result in some exciting racing with close finishes over the coming weeks.
Newcomers are always welcome, so even if you missed the start of the league, why not come along to Faugheen on Monday evenings, all you need is a roadworthy bike and a cycling helmet. Thanks to the support of South Tipperary Sports Partnership and sponsorship by O’Ceallacháins Bistro, entry is free and registration is at 7.00 sharp, with racing starting at 7.15, so see you there !!
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