Eric Downey opened his A1 account with a fantastic 4th place in Drogheda on Saturday, and Sandra Telford matched him with a ferocious 4th in the bunch sprint on Sunday.

The weekend started well for Orwell, with Downey pinning his long overdue A1 numbers on for Saturday's Peter Bidwell Memorial. He broke late from the peloton to cross the line ahead of international professionals Ryan Mullen (IG Sigma Sport) and Stephen Halpin (Polygon Sweet Nice). The placing is yet another string to Downey's bow, as he continues his inevitable rise to becoming established as one of Ireland's finest domestic riders.

The bunch sprinted in for sixth, and Patrick O'Brien finished well up there to nab 1st unplaced A2. On top of his prizes from last weekend and the club league this week, O'Brien seems to be entering a purple patch, and we look forward to more results to come.

On Sunday the senior men failed to deliver, suffering only bad luck in Nenagh. Dan Whiting was the only Orwell finisher, with Odhran Connors and Brian McArdle puncturing, and the rest of the club riders coming down together in a crash 32km into the A race. Tom Blennerhassett took the brunt of the damage, but walked away with road rash and bruising. Whiting discovered after the race that his battery was flat, but Connors provided a jump-start - the only bit of luck on the day!

Darragh Long got the only placing of note, chasing hard to take 14th overall for NRPT behind solo winner Eddie Dunbar (CI Dev. Squad).

Meanwhile in Drogheda, the women's race came down to a bunch gallop. Sandra Telford put in a mighty effort, powering down the left to take 4th place. Following on from Tuesday night's second place in Sandyford, Telford is one to watch for the season. A strong rider with a finishing kick, Telford rode for Leinster in 2011's Rás na mBán, and will surely feature there again this year.


Telford pushing hard in the sprint (photo courtesy of Brendan Culleton)

Orwell were active throughout the race, with Lucy Soden meriting particular mention after a lap-long solo effort that was ultimately reeled in.

The race was won by Amy Brice, riding for the new DID Ladies Racing Team. Launched only last week, the team is off to a strong start. Among their members is Orwell's own Anne Dalton. The new team gives her a magnificent opportunity to develop her ability and skills, and take part in events like stage races in the UK and France. We'll be keeping an eye on her on these pages until she returns to the Orwellian ranks. The team's PRO is ex-Orwell member Caroline Martinez, and we wish the team and all the riders the best of luck for the season and beyond!

Also run as part of Drogheda Wheelers' trojan weekend, the Rás na nÓg youth stage race had two Orwell participants. Although Naoise Sheridan was eligible to ride the U14 event, she chose to mix it up with the U16 boys, and scooped first girl in all three stages! Finishing in 40th overall, the first girl position is a rank of which she can be rightly proud, especially considering the older category she competed in.

Uisneach Sheridan also did the club proud in the U12 category, finishing his first ever stage race. The youngster will have gained valuable experience, and his perseverance will stand to him in the next few years. He's painting a bright future for Orwell Wheelers!


Peter Bidwell Memorial

1 Colin Robinson (Stamullen M Donnelly)
2 Tim O’Regan (DID Dunboyne CC)
3 Cian Delaney (Stamullen M Donnelly)
4 Eric Downey (DTC Orwell Wheelers)
5 Aidan Crowley (DID Dunboyne CC)
6 Brendan Whelan (Adamstown CC
7 Gary Gorman (Stamullen M Donnelly)
8 Damien O’Farrell (Garda CC)

Unplaced A2s

1 Patrick O’Brien (DTC Orwell Wheelers)
2 Sean Rigley (South Dublin CC)
3 Stephen Enright (Garda CC)

Unplaced A3s

1 Ciaran Farrell (Dublin Wheelers CC)
2 Donal Daly (Garda CC)
3 Sean Curtis (Sundrive CC)

Unplaced A4s

1 Gareth McGonagle (Dublin Wheelers CC)
2 Liam Cullen (Barrow Wheelers CC)
3 Martin McNamara (Lucan CC)

Unplaced Juniors

1 Ciaran Campbell (Drogheda Wheelers CC)
2 Jordan McGinley (Errigal CC)
3 Cian Farrell (Dublin Wheelers CC)


Coombes-Connor Memorial
Joe Daly Cycles' Women's Nat. League R2

1 Amy Brice (DID Ladies)
2 Tonya Moran (Blackrose CC)
3 Sandra Fitzgerald (Garda CC)
4 Sandra Telford (DTC Orwell Wheelers)
5 Caroline Ryan (Garda CC)
6 Clare Gillespie (BRC)


Visit Nenagh Classic (A1/2)

1 Timmy Barry (Aquablue)
2 Damien Shaw (Aquablue)
3 Paidi O’Brien (Plant Tri)
4 Marko Hoekstra (MWVVG Bike4air)
5 Ronan McLaughlin (SKT)
6 Jos Harms (MWVVG Bike4air)
7 Joe Fenlon (Planet Tri)
8 Sean Lacey (Aquablue)
9 Paddy Clarke (Castlebar CC)
10 Greg Swinand (Usher CC)
11 Mark Dowling (Polygon Sweet Nice)
12 Bram Vermey (MWVVG Bike4air)
13 Conor McAllister (Chain Reaction)
14 Martin Mizgeski (Iverk Carrick)
15 Keith Gater (Waterford CC)

A3 Race

1 Eddie Dunbar (Nat Dev Squad)
2 James King (NRPT)
3 Dylan O’ Brien (Nat Dev Squad)
4 Matthew Doyle (Jonge Renners Roeselare)
5 Thomas Fllon (Nilleboard VRT)
6 Stephen Shanahan (Limerick CC)
7 Craig McCauley (Ulster Dev Squad)
8 Danny Bruton (NRPT)
9 Brendan Cassidy (Killarney CC)
10 Neil Sommers (SDCC)
11 Curtis Gilmore (Ulster Dev)
12 Gary Scully (Visit Nenagh)
13 Dylan Foley (NRPT)
14 Darragh Long (NRPT)
15 Fintan Ryan (Nat Dev Squad)

A4 Race

1 Ciaran Harte (SSCC)
2 Hugh Flannery (Visit Nenagh)
3 Dan Hogan (North Tipp Wheelers)
4 Michael Guerin (Dolmen CC)
5 Mark McCarthy (Blarney)
6 Micheal E O Shea (Killorglin CC)
7 Denis Dempsey (O’ Leary Stone)
8 Bill Reidy (Listowel CC)
9 Paul Roche (Kerry Crusaders)
10 Graham Beazley (Black Rose)