Encouraging results for Clare cyclists

A strong Clare contingent travelled to the inaugural Visit Nenagh Cycling Classic last Sunday and emerged with some encouraging results.
Billed as a spring classic, modelled on the gruelling Dutch and Belgian courses, the event attracted the cream of the country’s riders.
The organisers included some climbs in a 154km course that featured spectacular scenery around Lough Derg and the Silvermines.
With the top-ranked riders on national classification showing up, the event was a great opportunity for Clare’s four clubs to measure their progress and there was plenty of cause for encouragement.
The result of the day must go to Burren’s Anthony O’Halloran, who finished seventh in the A4 race.
Having crashed coming out of Ballina, it looked like a lost cause for the Ruan man as the leaders drove for home at over 40 kph.
However, he chased to close a sizeable gap and had enough left in the tank to contest the final sprint and pick up some prize money. Dolmen’s Cathal Oakes and Paul Harrington also contested the sprint but were edged out of the top 10.
In the A3, Eamon Morgan of West Clare CC competed strongly for a ninth place whilst Shannon’s Sean McIlroy, riding for Iverk Carrick, captured 10th spot.
In the A1 competition, the organisers attracted an elite field, who are fine-tuning their preparations for the upcoming An Post Rás. Cork’s Timmy Barry stole away for a solo victory whilst West Clare’s Mike Storan came home 10 followed closely by clubmate Jarlath Hassett.
Local action this weekend includes West Clare CC’s Mount Callan Challenge whilst Dolmen’s Bunratty Race series continues next Wednesday, May 2.
Featuring some of Munster’s top riders, it is also open to all CI-registered riders and is run on a handicapped basis that makes for very exciting racing.
It continues for 15 weeks, with sign-on each Wednesday at 6.45pm at the Wells Church.
On the May Bank Holiday weekend, Dolmen and West Clare will have teams competing in the Corkman Three-Day stage race while many local riders will travel for the An Post Tour of Sligo on the Sunday.
A great local spin in aid of Bushypark Treatment Centre will be held on the Saturday, organised by Burren CC.
This is open to all and will build on last year’s very successful event, which proved a great showcase for cycling in the county. There are 100k and 50k options as well as a 15k family cycle. Sign-on is at 10am in the pavilion, Lisdoonvarna.
The Dolmen CC Saturday training spin is being moved to join this event.