James Mullen winning Round one of the league at the Sportsmans

Thursday last saw the Bike Station Summer Cycling League revert back to its traditional slot after 2 seasons of being interrupted by the Covid pandemic. Cuchulainn's league committee worked hard to map out a 15 round league, with a variety of fast and hilly challenging courses. Round 1 was definitely challenging on the looped Sportsman course. Eight km in length 4 of which are very fast downhill, which in turn leads to a very tough 4km uphill.

It was the young guns who shone on the night, with underage rider James Mullen of Navan Road Club taking an impressive solo win. James was in the first group and rode away from his compatriots and managed to hold off everyone coming behind. Second place went to Conor Murphy, whom started in group 3, again rode away from his fellow group members and through the remnants of groups 1 and 2 to take second. 
 
Chasing the final podium spot was a group of 3 riders whom had escaped from the last bunch on the road. Liam Dolan won the sprint for third, ahead of UCD's Aimhirghin O`Brannagain. The final man in the group was defending league champion James McEneaney of Moynalty Cycling Club in 5th.
 
An impressive performance on the night was put in by some of the other underage rides like the club's Calum McCaffrey and Rhiannon Dolan. It was their first time racing in the senior lague & were by no means outclassed.
 
Next week round 2 the racing is help on the Ardee link road from Dorians Pub