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This years Vets C/ship was an exciting race from start to finish with
a top quality field. Many of us came straight from the IVCA
race to cheer on our team mates and they did give us plenty of reason
to cheer! As we drove across we met the race on its first lap and
already the attacks had begun.
There were three riders with about 15 sec gap with another three(incl
Sean Bracken) trying to bridge with the bunch in hot pursuit. This
break was soon neutralised and the bunch stayed together for some
miles until Mick Rock (McNally Swords) got clear with two
other riders. These three did well for a while but when they turned
into the wind three riders weren't enough!
The next major move half way into the second lap, four riders
attacked and went clear at the elbow. This break looked good and incl
Sean McIlroy (Carrick Cidona), Dave Woods (Usher), Brian Holmes
(Slane Cycles), and a rider from Cork. When these looked like staying
away, Sean Lally launched himself in pursuit. Catching them proved
quite difficult and it took a few miles to get on. Sean admitted
later that it was the fear of the embarrassment of being swallowed
back up by the bunch that kept him going in his effort to fget
across. |
These five now stayed clear until the last lap when they were joined
by a group of about ten riders incl most of the pre-race favourites.
Up the hill and five riders broke clear but were once again pegged
back.
On the run in it was attack after attack until on a slight rise about
a mile and a half out, Sean Bracken made the decisive break and came
in a clear and worthy winner. Bo Graham (Provision) won the sprint
for 2nd from last years winner Norman Campbell (unatt), with Hugh
Davis (Eagle CC) 4th, Terry Ferris (DWCC) 5th , and Sean Lally
(McNally Swords) 6th --- after being in the break all day. The team
prize was also a close run thing with Usher IRC just edging out the
host club, Garda Motorway, by one point! All those who turned up to
watch were treated to great racing also from the U23's and Juniors
with Gabriel Howard doing MC & commentary adding to the
excitement.
Hero of the day, Kanturk Junior rider , who was 2 min clear for at
least 4 laps of the 6 lap race in searing heat. Didn't end up in the
medals but a class act.
Thanks to Hugh Byrne for the report.
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