Matt Makes it To Stickybottle

Post date: Jul 15, 2013 10:31:16 PM

(Racing Reports by Billy Cunnane)

Navan Road Club had a great turnout for the Ballivor GP with perfect cycling conditions last Saturday 6th July. We were represented in A1 by John Murray and in A4 by Matt Burke. The race was handicapped over 3 laps of an 18.5km circuit with the A4s getting a 2 minute advantage over the other chasing groups. Bryan McCrystal and Neil Delahaye made the break early on and stayed away with McCrystal taking first on the line.

Attacks continued from the chasing bunch throughout with many riders getting dropped due to the intense pace and constant attacking. The main group stayed together for the most part giving an exciting sprint to the line to determine the winners.

With the first two places taken it was down to a bunch sprint with up to 80 riders pushing and shoving their way to the finish line. Matt Burke positioned himself very well in the run up to the finish line and in doing so claimed a prize for 3rd unplaced A4. Great to finally see your name on Sticky bottle Matt, well done.

Matt Burke who took 3rd A4 spot in Ballivor

Midland League Stage 9

On Thursday 4th July Lakeside Wheelers hosted round 9 of the Midland League. Four laps of an 8.5km circuit awaited all the groups. The first race off on the evening was the A/B group. The B group of 16 riders set off first with a 1.30 min advantage of the chasing A group containing 8 riders. The B group managed to stay away to the finish and in the sprint Richie Lenehan managed to get 4th and Mick Reynolds 8th.

The A group almost made contact and finished some 10 seconds down. Next race off was the C/D group. The D group of 16 riders set off first with a 4.30 minute advantage on the chasing C group of 24 riders. The C/D group were all together on the last lap and in the bunch sprint Junior Conor Canton got 2nd, Aidan Daly 3rd, Derek Sheeran 7th, Junior David Boyne 10th and Junior Ross Kiernan 11th.

It’s great to see our Junior riders placing well in this race. Keep up the good work lads. Next Midland League report will be on Round 10 which is taking place in the Heath in Co. Laois.