Hutchinson wins Round 16 of league and a trip for underage riders to BMX Track

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"181","attributes":{"class":"media-image aligncenter size-medium wp-image-601","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"300","height":"200","alt":""}}]]Torrential rain and wind greeted the cyclists for round 19 of the FPM Accountants Summer Cycling League, such was the weather that the debate started that the league should just be renamed the FPM Accountants League! However the action still got underway with some fast and furious racing. Holidays meant a lower turn out than usual with groups 1 and 2 the most affected. The race went from the Ardee Road out to Ardee, across the links road and back into Dundalk via Castlebellingham. By Castlebellingham the 3rd group had caught all those in front and were working hard to hold off those behind. In the final sprint Liam Hutchinson was victorious over Daniel McConville and Kevin Trainer in 3rd. Right behind this trio Kenny Sullivan and Gary Morton battled for 4th and 5th respectively. Annette Dawe was first lady home, while Sean Loughran lead home the scratch group ahead of Paul McGee and Jimmy Flynn.

As the "summer" draws to a close the league has 2 rounds remaining, a road race next Thursday night and finishes up with the Louth Hill Climb Championships on August 30th. Currently neck and neck at the top of the leader board, both on 35 points are Kenny Sullivan and Raymond O`Shaughnessey. The Hill Climb is where Ray would be expected to dominate all involved and reclaim the Louth Championships he won last year. The road race next Thursday is Kenny's best chance to collect some more points to build up a bit of a lead. Right behind these 2 is visitor from Stamullen Gary Gorman and with only 1 point in the difference Gary could easily take points in both the remaining road race and hill climb.

On Saturday last the young Cuchulainns cyclists headed to the Co. Meath town of Ratoath to gain experience on an international standard BMX track. The sport, which has featured in the last 2 Olympics, is the fastest growing section within cycling. The club's BMX section headed up by Peter Collins trains at St. Mary's College every Monday. The large group of underage cyclists got to grips with the tight bends on the track and the fast jumps. The course starts at a high point and sees the riders shoot out of the starting gates to tackle ramps, jumps, bends and generally undulating surfaces. All involved found the track really exciting and are hungry for more action.