Wicklow League Round 2 - 9th June 2009

Hard racing at the Wicklow League saw many of the handicapped groups coming together, culminating in a close sprint for the line.

A good turn-out meant the race was split into 4 groups, with the Scratch starting off first as they had a full extra lap to complete. Close off after them was the Limit group, followed by Semi-Limit @ 1 minute, then Semi-Scratch @ 4mins.

Strong riding in the Semi-Scratch with the bunch working smoothly together saw them catch Semi-Limit on the drag on the 3rd lap, causing confusion and some splits in the group, but with good teamwork it came back together again and continued to work well.

Although chasing hard, it ultimately proved too hard a task for Scratch to catch such a strong well-organised group, eventually getting to within a minute and a half of the winner.

Siobhain Duggan, Eithne Dalby, Rose Leith and Catherine Devitt got a jump on the bunch towards the end of the last lap, but the group fought to get back on to them before the final straight. However in the finishing sprint these girls fought it out for the podium with Siobhain emerging victorious ahead of Rose with Catherine taking the final podium spot from Eithne Dalby, closely followed by Deborah Meghan and junior Ailbhe Ivory rounding out 6th spot.

Spot prize of a complete cycling outfit was kindly offered by Scott McDonald of Winning Solutions, the winner being chosen randomly from the race numbers. Ailbhe Ivory was the lucky recipient, a good reward for her impressive finish today! Many thanks to Scott for his generous donation.

Special mention to Kayleigh Gibbons, our U14 rider who rode the full senior race and finished in 7th! Rachel Kaye also rode up a category, to complete 2 laps in 20:10, finishing just behind Caoimhe Ivory who did 20:02. Isabelle Loughran rode U12 and completed the circuit in 11:35.

Thanks to John O'Sullivan and Danny O'Shea of Sorrento for their timekeeping and placings, complicated tonight and with close finishes. Bray Wheelers and Sorrento turned out in great numbers for marshalling duties. Many thanks to those who turned up to help - perhaps Gillian's goodies, Siobhain's cookies and Richie's buns had something to do with it? Lets hope the weather will be as good for next weeks picnic - I mean race!

Brendan Culletons fab pics can be found here. Thanks Brendan for making the journey out!

See Terry Brennan's pics here.


Results

1st Siobhain Duggan Bray Wheelers 37:50
2nd Rose Leith Sorrento st
3rd Catherine Davitt u/a st
4th Eithne Dalby Bray Wheelers 37:52
5th Deborah Meghan Wicklow Tri st
6th Ailbhe Ivory Bray Wheelers 38:02
7th Kayleigh Gibbons Lucan CC 38:04
8th Fiona Duggan Bray Wheelers st
9th Muriel Haire Bray Wheelers 38:09
10th Gillian Peelo Bray Wheelers st
11th Jane Martin Bray Wheelers st
12th Deirdre Hough Wicklow Tri st
13th Eileen O'Sullivan Sorrento 38:26
14th Joanne O'Shea Sorrento 38:40
15th Orla Hendron Orwell 40:30
16th Jenny McCauley Bray Wheelers st
17th Sandra Fitzgerald Lucan CC 40:32
18th Roisin Kennedy Lucan CC st
19th Maria Belton Wicklow Tri 40:37
20th Fionnula Ni Bhradaigh Bray Wheelers 46:52
U12 Isabelle Loughran Bray Wheelers 1 lap 11:15
U14 Rachel Kaye Orwell 2 laps 19:50
U14 Caoimhe Ivory Bray Wheelers 2 laps 20:02