(Midland League Report By Bully Cunnane)   

On Thursday 23rd May Tullamore Cycling Club hosted round 5 of the Midland League in Clara Co. Offaly. Lakeside Wheelers were very well represented in all categories. Weather conditions were perfect for racing but there were strong winds to contend with. Due to roadworks at Ballycumber the circuit was changed to a 19km lap which had to be tackled twice by all groups. First race off on the evening was the A/B group. 

The B group containing 14 riders set off first with a 2.5 minute advantage on the Chasing A group containing 11 riders.  A 6 man break went clear of the B group on the first lap. The A group worked well together and made contact with the remaining B group just after the start/finish line on lap 1. A few attacks were attempted with a 3 man break eventually going clear. With all clubs having men in the breaks the bunch sat up with nobody willing to chase their own clubmen down. The 6 man break fought it out on the uphill sprint with Conor Hughes taking 2nd and Robbie Kenny 4th. The chasing 3 man break fought it out next in the uphill sprint with John Murray taking 7th and Steve Franzoni 9th. The Main bunch contested the remaining points place with Peter Rimmer taking 10th. 

Next race off on the evening was the C/D group. The D group containing 12 riders set off first with a 4 minute advantage on the chasing C group of 32 riders. The D group were caught after 1 lap and its then that the pace picked up with Aidan Daly putting in a huge effort at the front to try and split the group. The finish came down to a bunch sprint with Tosh Kiernan taking 4th and Aidan Farrell 9th. Next report will be Round 6 which is being held in Mount Temple on 6th June.