Phil Skelton just about survived from the tremendously hard working novice group to take victory ahead of fast finishing league leader Stephen Duggan in a thrilling finish to tonights race. (more pictures on www.pix.ie/LiamR )
Men at work….
Despite a shorter handicap tonight the limit novice group went into work mode from the off and worked super hard for the whole race. Beginning with eight riders, by the bell the group was reduced to 5 riders, Mylie Kavanagh, Murry McDonald, Willie Roche, Phil Skelton with Mick Foley just off the back. This group had a 1 minute gap on small breakaway from the main group and another few seconds over the large chasing bunch.
With the main group normally pulling a minute a lap from the smaller novice group it was going to be touch and go for the now 4 man group to stay away to the finish.
Starting the final lap Stephen Duggan is leading the chase….
The whole race came together after rounding the final bend with Murry McDonald taking a last ditch flyer just as the A4s arrived. With 150m to go he looked favourite to take victory but cramps in both calves forced him to stop peddling and freewheel to an eventual 9th place. Phil Skelton jumped out from his wheel and was celebrating with 50m to go but not realising that a super fast finishing Stephen Duggan was flying towards the chequered flag. Luckily for Phil his momentum took him across the line with a bike length to spare to become the first winner this year from the novice group.
Adam Thatcher & Martin Curran were 1st & 2nd in 2 lap race
In the Underage wins again for Adam Thacther and Elliott Young but two great 2nd place rides from Martin Curren (your scratch next week Martin!) and Marc Thatcher who was impeded by a jeep on the back road and turned onto the main road a 100m behind Elliott and chased his heart out for the remains of the lap.
Many thanks to our 35 adults and 12 underage who took part, our lead cars and marshalls, our supporters on the line and finally thank God for some beautiful sunshine!
Results: 1st Phil Skelton Slaney, 2nd Stephen Duggan Wex Whls, 3rd Frank Doyle Wex Whls, 4th Tonto Brady Slaney, 5th Ciaran Furlong SERC, 6th Barry Murphy Wex Whls, 7th John Dobbs Slaney, 8th Mylie Kavanagh Slaney.
Underage 2 lap race: 1st Adam Thatcher Slaney, 2nd Martin Curran Slaney, 3rd Odhran Stynes Wex Whls, 4th Seamus Sinnott Wex Whls, 5th Brendan Wright Wex Whls, 6th Billy Cooney Slaney, 7th Kieran Cooney Slaney, 8th Charlie O’Hagan Slaney
Underage 1 lap race: 1st Elliott Young Slaney, 2nd Marc Thatcher Slaney, 3rd David Nolan SERC, 4th Ruairí Carton Slaney
Stephen Duggan retains league lead Novice League Table 2012