race38

Irish Veteran Cyclists Association race results for season 2001

Tuesday 28th August - 26 mile CP, Batterstown

1. Henry Whelan
2. Pat Troy
3. Kevin Simms
4. Dick O'Brien
5. Oliver Bright
6. Tom Richardson

Henry, Pat and Kevin crossing the line to take first, second and third places.

A couple of backmarkers. Jim Morahan and David Blake.

Hugh Byrnes report of
Tuesdays race.

The last of the evening road races was a 26 mile CP in Batterstown over the same course that was used for the Vets/U23 & Junior National Championships last Sunday. The shortness of the race being forced on us by lack of daylight despite the summery weather. Using this course for DMS races still makes for good racing but when its a CP it just means its faster!
Leaving work in Citywest at 6 O'Clock on my bike to reach Batterstown by 7 meant I was was well warmed up for the race, which was just as well as I was back a group and the pace was up from the start. First casualty of the day, Francis Moran, did an eskimo roll on the grass verge when the group unexpectically met a traffic jam in the middle of nowhere.
I swear he nearly came back up still in the pedals. We stalled for him but his chain had come off and this hindered him getting back on. At least he was spared the grief the rest of us were getting from a high 'spirited' Arthur Ebbs, who kept telling us he was only racing during the interlude of some party he was at. (Yes the sameArthur who had me blocked in last Sunday).

Up & over all the draggy bits with all those lighter lads forcing the pace and we came across casualty no2. Robbie Norgrove was in the ditch with a leg injury sustained by crashing due to a stray dog. He still looked in good spirits and was being attended to by Paddy Byrne. Two-thirds of the way round the first lap and we were caught by faster riders (incl Frances who had remounted) ant the pace went up again. Now I was...hanging off the back, where every badly taken bend or corner is punished by extra effort to hang on. Six or seven miles of this and eventually the elastic broke. Catch your breath, keep going, and watch out for the scratch lads coming. Who am I kidding they went by like a train. A few shouts of encouragement from clubmates and a 'ho ho ho' from one rider, upon finding last sundays winner on his own. One thing I always find strange is that the scratch lads always seem to be operating in slow motion as they pass and disappear into the sunset. There never seems to be anything frantic about their application of power to their pedals. Smooth and fast. Ah well, turn around and catch the finish.

A group of 5 riders just manage to stay clear of the pack, with the master sprinter himsef, Henry Whelan taking the victory. He was just one bike lenght clear of Pat Troy and Kevin Simms who had the misfortune to puncture last Sunday. Dick O'Brien placed 4th with Oliver Bright 5th.
Ten seconds later the main pack came roaring in with a very strong Tom Richardson taking the sprint for 6th place. The scratch lads were a futher15 sec back with Hugh Davis winning the sprint in this group. A most enjoyable race, on an evening when everybody seems to be in good spirits. Iam writing this report in the hope that others will take up the mantle (and risk a bit of stick). Theres only so much I can see from the back!!

PS A Tale of Two Puctures: Kevin puctured during last Sundays race but his rival for the Sunday league, Mick Tynan only punctured when his bike was actually hanging on the bike rack after the race!!

1. Henry Whelan 2. Pat Troy 3. Kevin Simms 4. Dick O'Brien 5. Oliver Bright 6. Tom Richardson
Henry, Pat and Kevin crossing the line to take first, second and third places.		A couple of backmarkers. Jim Morahan and David Blake.
*Hugh Byrnes report of* *Tuesdays race.* The last of the evening road races was a 26 mile CP in Batterstown over the same course that was used for the Vets/U23 & Junior National Championships last Sunday. The shortness of the race being forced on us by lack of daylight despite the summery weather. Using this course for DMS races still makes for good racing but when its a CP it just means its faster! Leaving work in Citywest at 6 O'Clock on my bike to reach Batterstown by 7 meant I was was well warmed up for the race, which was just as well as I was back a group and the pace was up from the start. First casualty of the day, Francis Moran, did an eskimo roll on the grass verge when the group unexpectically met a traffic jam in the middle of nowhere. I swear he nearly came back up still in the pedals. We stalled for him but his chain had come off and this hindered him getting back on. At least he was spared the grief the rest of us were getting from a high 'spirited' Arthur Ebbs, who kept telling us he was only racing during the interlude of some party he was at. (Yes the sameArthur who had me blocked in last Sunday).	Up & over all the draggy bits with all those lighter lads forcing the pace and we came across casualty no2. Robbie Norgrove was in the ditch with a leg injury sustained by crashing due to a stray dog. He still looked in good spirits and was being attended to by Paddy Byrne. Two-thirds of the way round the first lap and we were caught by faster riders (incl Frances who had remounted) ant the pace went up again. Now I was...hanging off the back, where every badly taken bend or corner is punished by extra effort to hang on. Six or seven miles of this and eventually the elastic broke. Catch your breath, keep going, and watch out for the scratch lads coming. Who am I kidding they went by like a train. A few shouts of encouragement from clubmates and a 'ho ho ho' from one rider, upon finding last sundays winner on his own. One thing I always find strange is that the scratch lads always seem to be operating in slow motion as they pass and disappear into the sunset. There never seems to be anything frantic about their application of power to their pedals. Smooth and fast. Ah well, turn around and catch the finish.	A group of 5 riders just manage to stay clear of the pack, with the master sprinter himsef, Henry Whelan taking the victory. He was just one bike lenght clear of Pat Troy and Kevin Simms who had the misfortune to puncture last Sunday. Dick O'Brien placed 4th with Oliver Bright 5th. Ten seconds later the main pack came roaring in with a very strong Tom Richardson taking the sprint for 6th place. The scratch lads were a futher15 sec back with Hugh Davis winning the sprint in this group. A most enjoyable race, on an evening when everybody seems to be in good spirits. Iam writing this report in the hope that others will take up the mantle (and risk a bit of stick). Theres only so much I can see from the back!! PS A Tale of Two Puctures: Kevin puctured during last Sundays race but his rival for the Sunday league, Mick Tynan only punctured when his bike was actually hanging on the bike rack after the race!!