Frank O’Leary was in great form this weekend at the Paddy Flanagan Memorial 2 day in Kildare. A bit of a stage race specialist, I make this his 4th this year after The Gorey 3 Day, Tour of Ulster and Rás Connochta. The only SCC rider in the event, Frank was the only S2 rider to make the decisive break on Saturdays first stage eventually finishing 6th on the stage and overall on GC and first S2. Finishing 12th in Sunday mornings TT and then 12th again in the afternoon criterium gave Frank a final overall placing of 10th and 1st S2 rider. Great results from as quality field. There are pictures from the event on www.irishcycling.com
Touring: 13 riders set out on Sunday and took in a really enjoyable spin towards Carlow and Kilkenny. Unfortunately we lost two riders to mechanical issues just after Kiltealy with Sean Kavanagh and Paddy Dunne being forced home. You don’t need a sign to tell you when you leave Wexford — the improvement in the road surface makes it clear! However it didn’t stop Rita and Paul puncture within a mile or two of each other in Borris. With Graiguenamanagh, The Rower and the 70kph descent to the Ferry Bridge behind us a water/coffee break was called for in Ballywilliam before the final 10km lineout to town. While the interuptions put paid to our plan to be home for 1pm all in all it was a good spin with 92kms being covered at a very healthy 28.3kph according to my computer. We’ll plan another longer tour for a few weeks time.
