Surdival's Stamullen Glory

Monie Nolan Memorial Races, Saturday 18th April
Stamullen GP, Sunday 19 April

Stephen Surdival was kicking himself after Saturday's Monie Nolan Memorial race in Balscadden for not launching a late attack, Orwell's pocket rocket having to settle for a nonetheless highly creditable second place behind Tim O'Regan.

There would be no lack of confidence the following day as Surdival launched himself clear of a baying pack in the final kilometre to take his maiden victory in a classic league event.

With four days of hard racing in Easter's Ras Mumhan still in his legs, Surdival's seemingly boundless reserves of energy were well tested in the Stamullen weekend as he featured throughout on the testing, sun drenched North Meath terrain.

Saturday's second place had already made the weekend a success, albeit tinged slightly with regret, but it turned out to be merely an hors d'oeuvre to Sunday's Michelin standard main course over six laps of a 19km circuit centred on Bellewstown.

Surdival on the attack on the final climbWith the arduous climb of the Cairns facing the riders three km from the end of each lap, the groups fractured regularly but Surdival stayed in contention as the A group got on terms with the B riders who started first.

As the race headed towards its denouement o the final tour, Surdival risked losing out when the lead group split on the final lap, necessitating a frantic chase. Having latched back on with a couple of kilometres of the climb, Stephen's powers of recovery were tested to the full as he launched himself off the front on final ascent.

That effort was neutralised and Stephen could have been forgiven for accepting that it wasn't to be his day but the 'what ifs' of the previous day's missed opportunity were fresh in his mind and when the group stalled momentarily within a kilometre of the line, there was no further hesitation.

Stephen Surdival soloes to victory in the  Stamullen GP Classic league RaceHis legs still had enough to produce a final flying kilometre and as the sprinters left in the group uncoiled for the final surge to the line, Surdival had enough in hand to display the Orwell jersey to the full with an arms aloft celebration.

With this breakthrough win over a select field of Ireland's top racers Surdival moves into early points contention for the Classic League and will hope that it proves to be the launching pad to further success in 2009.

He will certainly be eyeing next weekend's Shay Elliott Memorial with keen interest.

Elsewhere on the Stamullen programme, Stephen McNally initiated the winning break in the Vets Junior race on the first time up the Cairns climb, taking Martin O'Loughlin, Conubhair Ui Cruabhlaich and Andre Engermann with him.

O'Loughlin went ahead on the final ascent and Stephen won the sprint for second soon after. John Dillon confirmed his recent good form with a strong sixth.

Craig Arrigan takes victory in Sunday's Stamullen GP Under 14 raceGraham Thomas showed the value of three hard days of racing at Easter as he took seventh behind O'Regan and Surdival in Saturday's Monie Nolan Memorial while Brian Ahern showed that his form is starting to emerge with ninth place.

Orla Hendron took third and Monica Marconi fifth in the women's race run along with the C category race.

The Under 14 races were an Orwell benefit with Darragh Long winning a strength sapping uphill sprint for victory on Saturday with Craig Arrigan fourth. The roles were reversed on Sunday when Arrigan carried home the spoils with Long third.

Andrew Sower was seventh in Saturday's Under 12 race.

 


Results

Monie Nolan Memorial Races, Saturday April 18th 2009

SENIOR RACE:
1. Tim O'Regan, Engraveit.ie/BDBC
2. Stephen Surdival, Orwell DTC
3. Paul Healion, South Dublin CC
4. Robert Moore, Stamullen M Donnelly
5. Craig Sweetman, Stamullen M Donnelly
6. Ciaran Cassidy, Engraveit.ie/BDBC
7. Graham Thomas, Orwell DTC
8. Andrew McQuaid, Emerald CC
9. Brian Ahern, Orwell DTC

1st B Cian Crowley, St. Tiernan's
2nd B Mark Dowling, Engraveit./BDBC

1st C Stephen Byrne, Usher IRC
2nd C Alan Burke, Murphy Surveys

1st Junior Conor Campbell, Drogheda Wheelers
2nd Junior Axel O'Connor, Laois

1st Vet Martin O'Loughlin, Dan Morrissey
2nd Vet Brian Reynolds, Stagg Lucan CC

1st Lady Kate Rudd, Wolftrap CC

Under 14
1. Darragh Long, Orwell DTC
2, Daragh Campbell, Drogheda Whlrs
3, Ciaran Campbell, Drogheda Whlrs
5, Dylan O'Brien, Dan Morrissey Carrick Whlrs
6, Shane Mulcrone, Covey Whlrs

Under 12
1. Michael O'Loughlin, Dan Morrissey Carrick Whlrs
2. Ryan Orr, Old Bleach
3. Kayleigh Gibbons, Stagg Lucan CC
4. Matthew O'Donnell, Covey Whlrs
5. Joshua Francis, Longford CC
6. Angelo O'Connor, Laois
7. Andrew Sower, Orwell DTC


Stamullen GP Youth Races in Bellewstown on Sunday

UNDER 14 RACE
1. Craig Arrigan, Orwell DTC
2. Sean McConville, Kanturk Credit Union
3. Darragh Long, Orwell DTC
4. Aidan Wall, Navan RC
5. Ciaran Campbell, Drogheda Whlrs
6. Sean Hahessy, Dan Morrissey

Stamullen GP - for the JOEY WHYTE MEMORIAL CUP
Cycling Ireland CLASSIC LEAGUE Round 2

1. Stephen Surdival, Orwell DTC
2. Frazer Duncan, Curran Racing
3. Scott McDonald, Winning Solutions
4. Michael Concannon, Killorglin CC
5. Sean Lacey, EuroCycles
6. Barry Monaghan, Newry
7. Brian Kenneally, Engraveit.ie/BDBC
8. Ciaran Cassidy, Engraveit.ie/BDBC
9. Ray Clarke, WorldWidecycles.com
10. Colin Robinson, Stamullen M Donnelly

Senior 'B' Race - For the Patrick Kennedy Memorial Cup
1. Barry Monaghan, Newry
2. Ray Clarke, WorldWideCycles.com
3. Fiachra O'Mhuire, Usher IRC
4. Mark Dowling, Engraveit.ie
5. Daniel Clifford, Killorglin CC
6. Colm Quinn, Cuchulainn CC

VETS RACE - For the Safelink Shield
1. Martin O'Loughlin, Dan Morrissey
2. Stephen McNally, Orwell DTC
3. Andre Engerman, St. Tiernan's CC
4. Conchubhar O'Crualaoich, Wexford
5. Sean Bracken, Usher IRC
6. John Dillon, Orwell DTC

JUNIOR RACE - For the Jimmy Gough Memorial Cup
1. Axel O'Connor, Laois CC
2. Conor Campbell, Drogheda Wheelers

SENIOR 'C' RACE - For the PAT HOWARD CUP
1. Eugene Murtagh, Ravens CC
2. Pat Brownfield, Curran Racing
3. Karl Donnelly, Murphy-Gunn
4. Aidan Cunningham, Cuchulainn CC
5. Brian Attley, Dublin Whlrs CC
6. Jarlath Farmer, Cuchulainn CC

LADIES
1. Sarah Piner, Mullingar
2. Wendy Bates, Mullingar
3. Orla Hendron, Orwell DTC
4. Roisin Kennedy, Usher IRC
5. Monica Marconi, Orwell DTC