Suir Valley Three Day

Post date: Aug 17, 2014 9:56:28 PM

(By Steve Franzoni)

A liquorice allsorts mix of Midland racers and support crew headed down to Clonmel last week to race the extremely hard Suir Valley Three Day. The race that takes in many long mountain climbs proved a serious undertaking.

The team rode under the Athlone Shannonside colours but contained a real Midland League super group. Stuart Cox from the Wheelers, Keith Fox from Shannonside, Eoin Lynch from DID Dunboyne and Keith Flynn from Port Loiase. In support was Billy Walshe (Shannonside) and Steven Franzoni (me).

The racing was fast and furious all weekend (a bit like our support driving). The first hour of racing in torrential rain was clocked at nearly 50 kmph average and these speeds continued for much of the weekend over countless categorised climbs. The final stage finished atop a mountain outside Clonmel.

The first stage weather put serious strain on the support crew who had to clean, polish and oil four dirty bikes.

The team rode well all weekend, putting in great efforts and a lot was learned about inter club co-operation which will only help improve the standard of racing back in the midlands.

Many thanks to Keith Fox for organising and Shannonside for covering the weekends costs.