Louth Champions

The last week saw another round of Winners & Champions crowned. First up was the Louth Ladies Time Trial Championships. In this event it was a show of dominance from another McCrystal, this time Eve McCrystal rode a lightening fast 10miles in 24:29 to claim gold with over a minute to spare of runner up Celine McPhilips. The Battle for the bronze was a close affair with Suzy Macking beating out Orla McAdam by only 7 seconds. Eve's win in the time trial moves her into 3rd position in the league, only 4 points behind leader Chris Rogers. In second place only 1 point behind Rogers is previous leader Anthony Craven. With only a few rounds remaining it will come down to these 3 riders.
 
The Mountain Bikers League also came to a conclusion, where John SHarkey was the victor with a comfortable lead at the top of the table. Second place went to Sandra O`Hagan, a remarkable result given that she was a complete newcomer to the discipline at the start of the year. Finally the podium was completed by Stephen Kelleher.
 
Meanwhile in the FPM Accountants Summer Cycling League, Thursday night was not a good night for racing. in addition to the hill top finish at The Long Woman's Grave, heavy wind & rain greeted the 40 riders who signed on. Five groups set-out from the line with over 12mins separating first from last. In the first group Gerard O`Hare attacked on the climb at Davy's pub & managed to open a small gap. Behind Gerard the riders became scattered by the hard climb & super scratch had caught all in front of them. With the line approaching O`Hare still held the league, but riders behind were closing fast, been driven by the likes of Newry's Kevin Lynch & Cuchulainn's Niall Clarke. Defending Champion Jordan Flood was also part of this strong group, however in the end they ran out of road & O`Hare held out to take an impressive solo win. Behind him last week's winner Alan Bingham begin_of_the_skype_highlighting     end_of_the_skype_highlighting won the sprint for 2nd place, ahead of Ray O'Shaughnessy.
 
The club this week launched details for the Tain Team Tour. This highly successful team tour was first run last year & event director is working hard on the route for 2011. The event will again be a team affair held on the August Bank Holiday weekend. Details can be found at www.tainteamtour.com

Finally this week sees the first "Thelma & Louise Tour", where the ladies of Cuchulainn will undertake a 3 day tour over to Cavan leaving Dundalk on Sunday. Staying at the Cavan Crystal Hotel, lunch stops will be hosted by Kevin & Teresa Dolan  in Cootehill en route. Monday will include a tour of Cavan & Fermangh, before returning home on Tuesday. The trip will have a social element to it & the club's "boy racers" have not been invited. Victory champagne will be the drink of choice upon reaching Cavan Crystal