Michael Barry continues good form ahead of 2012 Rás

Cuchulainn Cycling Club rider Michael Barry continued his good start to the season with a 10th place in the prestigious Ben McKenna Memorial held in Balbriggan on Sunday last. The race was a solo victory for Adam Armstrong of Ards, with Barry coming home in the chasing group. Barry is in his first season with Cuchulainn, being based in the Barracks in Dundalk. His fellow Rás bound teammate Ray O`Shuagnessy was also riding in the same race, which covered 120km in and around the hills of north county Dublin, & was active throughout. The club also had a top finish in the support race with Sean Loughran taking 4th place in the bunch finish of the A3 race. In the A4 race converted mountain bikers Gary Shiels and Declan McCabe continued to hone their road skills will solid displays.

Also on Sunday last over 30 members of the club took part in the Tour of Carlingford. This 80km event was organised by Slieve Gullion Wheelers and followed a path from Silverbridge to Newry, Carlingford and through Dundalk. The leisure group were using this ride as preparation for bigger summer events such as the Wicklow 200 and the club trip to the Alps this August, where the riders will be tackling climbs that the Tour de France passed over less than a month before. A few places remain on this trip and those interested should go to www.dundalkcycling.com for further details.

The FPM Accountants Summer CYcling League will be starting on Thursday April 12th. Since it's reincarnation, this will be the 10th running of the league. The mix of road races, time trials and hill climbs means that there is something for everyone and the handicap system ensures that newcomers are able to race against the more experienced members. Riders looking to particpate should go to www.dundalkcycliong.comto sign up.