Dungarvan’s Mark Power Wins 2011 Carrick Wheelers Cup!

Riders form all over the southern half of the country travelled to participate in this exciting promotion but it was the locals who took the spoils in both events.

In the main event (for Category 1 and 2 riders), it was Dungarvan CC’s Mark Power who was to become the 57^th winner of this prestigious event.  As the race unfolded a 13-man breakaway group formed containing many of the pre-race favourites such as Sean Lacey from the Cork based Edge Racing Team and former professional with the An Post Sean Kelly Team, Paudi O’Brien.  The leaders began the last of their 21mile laps still working harmoniously but as it became clear that the 2011 winner would come from this elite selection it quickly became a tactical game.  The winning attack was brilliantly executed as Power made his move over the crest of a short hill outside the landmark of Ike’s and Mike’s Pub on the N24.  Hesitation to chase allowed him to open up a quick five second advantage which grew all the way to the line as a result of the unorganised chase behind him, each rider unwilling to do the pace making for the group as they were hoping to hold their efforts for the final sprint. Power then rode up St. John Hill safe in the knowledge that his name would be next on the trophy and enjoyed his victory with his two arms raised all the way to the line.  Last year’s winner Lacey had to settle for 4^th, beaten by two of his break-away companions in the uphill sprint for the line.

In the support event (for Category 3 and 4 riders), another Waterford man was triumphant.  It was Shane O’Donoghue from Waterford City’s Comeragh Cycling Club who impressively won the uphill mass bunch sprint to the line.  This race was run on a handicap basis with the 4^th Category riders receiving a two minute handicap on their race rivals the 3^rd Category riders.  It was on the second lap of this two lap event that these two groups merged to form a huge bunch of which no rider or group of riders were able to break-away.  This led to the final bunch sprint for the line to which the judges hoped would be some bit spread by the uphill finish.  As the crowd waited anxiously to see who would appear first over the brow of the hill, it was Clonmel’s Declan Hanrahan, and he looked set to take the win, but in the final 100m Waterford’s Shane O’Donoghue powered past him to take a very exciting victory, Clonmel’s Hanrahan slightly fading to finish 3^rd.  Paul Flynn of the promoting Carrick Wheelers Club also finished a fine 6^th.

So a great day’s racing for all involved, and Carrick Wheelers would like to thank everyone who helped to make the day a success, especially the Carrick United Soccer Club for the use of their premises, Niall Kerr for his truck as the podium, and of course the local Gardaí and Civil Defence for their help in keeping the race safe for the cyclists. A final word of thanks to our sponsors too, Thomson Funeral Home, who enabled the club to give generous prizes to the top ten in each race and continue the great tradition of cycle racing in Carrick on St. Patrick’s Day.

Carrick Wheelers Cup 2011

1st Mark Power Dungarvan CC

2nd Anthony Doyle U/A

3rd Michael O’Reilly The Edge Racing Team

4th Sean Lacey The Edge Racing Team

5th Paudi O’Brien Team SportActive

6th Mike Storan West Clare CC

7th Greg Dempsey Barrow Wheelers CC

8th Micheal Hennessy Fermoy CC

9th David Walsh Wexford Wheelers CC

10th Edward Barry Blarney CC

Check out video of the finish here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsQjW9Y51LY

3rd/4th Cat. Race

1st Shane O’Donoghue Comeragh CC

2nd John Murphy Fermoy CC

3rd Declan Hanrahan Worldwide Cycles CC

4th Martin Cullinane Comeragh CC

5th Damien Roche West Clare CC

6th Paul Flynn Carrick Wheelers CC

7th Geoff MacNamara Waterford Sportif CC

8th Peter O’Brien Fermoy CC

9th Aiden Considine Dolmen CC

10th Barry Meade Kanturk CC