After observing the race unfold from his vantage point in the lead car, Brian Ahern volunteered to report on this week's league race. The night may have been dominated by Eric Downey, but he was outshone by an impressive performance from junior Darragh Long.

On a wet miserable night riders would have been forgiven for staying at home, sitting on the couch eating biscuits with nutella and watching Made in Chelsea.

After a heavy shower at sign-on, the wise decision was made to abandon the idea of the Sally-Gap finish but opt for three laps of the lakes with a Ballysmuttan finish instead.

Limit and Semi-limit started as one, and the group worked well together, but Semi-scratch got on terms approximately half way through lap 1. Straight away Darragh Long took the initiative with a brave solo effort. He immediately built an advantage of over 20 seconds and was looking smooth.


The already sodden bunch (courtesy of SwimCycleRun.com)


Long on the attack (courtesy of SwimCycleRun.com)

He rode solo for over one and half laps before scratch strong-men Eric Downey and Phillipe Bourdarias made contact after attacking on the usual finishing drag. Long would have been forgiven for taking a breather and sitting on the fresher new breakaway companions, playing dead and making excuses about his junior gear restrictions like I used to do but he immediately contributed to the break. Eventual winner Downey paid tribute to the NRPT rider's efforts after the race.

This trio worked exceptionally well together and the injection of pace meant that the gap opened up to over 35 seconds as they crossed the bridge and headed towards the gruelling climb of Ballysmuttan.

Downey sat on the front of the group on the lower slopes of the climb and as they crested the first steep ramp he upped the rev’s piling on the pressure and opened a gap incredibly quickly with a magnificent display of power.

Downey crossed the line with his arms aloft with over 20 seconds to spare over the impressive Long, with an exhausted Bourdarias finishing un bon 3ieme. Gavin Dodd looked fresh as he was a close 4th and Pat O’Brien crossed the line 5th despite hitting the tarmac earlier in the race.

Cormac Bracken rounded off the top placings with a fine 6th. There was another notable performance from Isabel Cogan as she managed a top 10 on what was a horrible evening for a bike.


Downey taking the win, with a considerable gap behind him (photo courtesy of Liam Rowsome)

What have we learned from tonight’s race?

  1. The club league organisers do exercise common sense.
  2. Darragh Long will be motoring at next week’s Junior Tour and should be upgraded to scratch.
  3. Eric Downey is an overwhelming favourite for the Orwell Wheelers Club Championships.
  4. Isabel Cogan is some woman for one woman and should also be upgraded to scratch.

Brian Ahern will return with a piece on the Roche GP!

Plenty of photos of suffering available on Facebook thanks to SwimCycleRun.com


Orwell League R12: Brittas CP (Ballysmuttan finish)

1 Eric Downey (S)
2 Darragh Long (SS)
3 Philippe Bourdarias (SS)
4 Gavin Dodd (S)
5 Pat O'Brien (S)
6 Cormac Bracken (SS)

First Woman:
Isabel Cogan