2014 Louth Rás Team, Bikestation Womens League & Galibier Time Trial League Start

Sunday May 18th sees the An Post Rás roll out from Dunboyne, from where the riders will cover 1,260km over 8 stages with 36 categorised climbs. Unfortunately the route will not be coming close to the North East, with the closest being the 8th and final stage which finishes in Skerries on May 25th. As always the race has attracted a stellar international field with over half of the 180 strong peleton made up of professional teams from Europe and the UK. The remaining 90 riders constitutes the best of the Irish domestic cyclists, who will be going toe to toe with the professionals.

For the third year running Cuchullainn Cycling Club will be entering a team. The Louth team consists of local riders Ray O`Shaughnessey, Michael Barry, Niall Clarke, Alan Grey, Sean Loughrane & Liam Dolan. They will be joined on the 10 man team by Newry's Roger Aiken, Cormac Clarke and Des Wood. The final rider is Bohermeen's Chris Reilly. The team is a mix of veterans and first timers, with the undoubted star being Roger Aiken. Aiken won a stage for Louth back in 2005 and was one of the standout performers in the 2013 race. The club men have been racing the length and breath of the country since late February and have tackled events such as the 4 day Rás Mumhan in Kerry at Easter and the recent 3 Day Tour of Ulster, held in Derry.

Another Dundalk man who will most definitely be in the thick of the action is Bryan McCrystal, riding with Cork's AquaBlue team. McCrystal has been in commanding form this season, taking an epic win in Carlow's Des Hanlon and stage wins in both the Rás Mumhan and Tour of Ulster, where he finished 2nd overall. All the riders will have to call on every ounce of energy and reserves over the 8 days so as to become "Men of the Rás".

Tuesday last saw the first round of The Bike Station Women's cycling league for 2014. Despite a horrendous night of wind and rain, 22 cyclist signed on for the 5mile time trail. Quickest on the night was Celine McPhilips who bested Annette Dolan by 18secs. Third position went to Fiona Rogers a further 21secs behind Dolan. Tracey McConkey of Clones CC was the first visitor of the night.  A number of women made their competitive debuts, with impressive times posted by all. The next round, held every Tuesday, is a road race from Felda Gym to Dunleer and back.

The weather did little to improve by Wednesday night when the Galibier Time Trial league commenced. The first round of this league also doubled up as the Leinster Time Trial Championships. Quickest on the night was Dublin's Colm Cassidy who averaged over 30mphs for the ride out to Castlebellingham and back, a distance of 10miles. His team mate in UCD, Con Collis, was 2nd. Cuchulainn claimed medals with Niall Clarke (A2 Gold), Owen Martin (A3 Silver), Tomas McCabe (A3 Bronze), Aimhirghin O`Branngain (Junior Bronze),and Celine McPhilips (Ladies, Silver). The next round of this league is May 28th.[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"228","attributes":{"class":"media-image aligncenter size-medium wp-image-953","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"300","height":"200","alt":"Sean Loughrane"}}]]