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Post date: Apr 03, 2012 7:40:38 PM

Youghal Cycling Club Notes – Sunday 1st April 2012

Sportiffs

Next up is the Kilmallock Hub Tour on Sunday, 15th April 2012. Training is well underway and we expect to have a large group attending. We are also in the final preparations for the Club League which is kicking off on Thursday, 12th April 2012 for a 10 week series. Keep posted for further information.

Racing

Sunday, 1st April 2012 saw our A3 pair of Eoin Whyte and Brian Sanders head off to Fermoy to compete in their annual Silver Pail GP. This race is a lumpy circuit in and around Fermoy town. The event is a 20km circuit that is raced over 4 laps. A big field of over 150 riders had entered again this week. Things started fast with Eoin and Brian working hard in the A3 category. After 2 laps Eoin had himself in a good position when a breakaway of 16 riders took the lead. For the 2nd week running the Youghal man was well positioned in the breakaway. Coming into the final lap Eoin was feeling strong and upped the speed to test his competition. They managed to shake off 5 riders and reduced the breakaway to 11 riders. At the home straight Eoin had the finish line in sight and dug deep for the final sprint. Growing in confidence he again improved his standings this week and took podium finish and won the race. Brian Sanders rolled in later in the top of the following bunch after great ride from the two Youghal men. This was a fantastic result for Eoin in a tough group, well done buddy you did us all proud!

We also have Jason Collins away in France at the moment with the Irish Pilgrimage Trust where he is cycling a total of 900km from Brittany to Lourdes. Best of luck Jason & keep up the good work!

Club Spins

It is great to report that the intermediate group have sufficient numbers at this stage to split into two groups. Le Groupe Souffrance does the extra couple of kilometres at a slightly higher tempo, whereas Le Groupe Agréable also does good mileage at a slightly more comfortable tempo.

With the sportiff season kicking off Le Groupe Souffrance headed off at 8am to get a day of climbing in. Only 9 had assembled for the designated time, but a call came in from the Secretary as he had slept it out. Being the nice bunch of lads we are, we cycled out the strand and up the new line to pick him up. That’s your late ticket used buddy! Next we headed out the main road to Dungarvan and on to the infamous Mahon Falls. Greg Hill made a great attack for the Polkadot Jersey, but alas it was not to be as he broke too soon, and it was the wily John Bulman that was first to the top. After Mahon, we rolled through Kilrossanty before climbing The Mamas and back to Dungarvan for a well earned cup of tea. From here we took the route back to Youghal via Clashmore. With no descent down the Tallow Road this week, the Green Jersey was decided with a sprint to the top of the bypass. It was Bulman and Fitzgerald racing to the top before Fitzgerald rolled over first and claimed the Green. We then rolled into town with a good 140km on the legs and 1500m vertical climbing. A tough spin, with all riders digging deep to complete the circuit at a nice pace. John Bulman will sleep well tonight as he claimed back his Yellow Jersey after a powerful day in the saddle. Quote of the day does to Gregg – “Damn ye with yere compacts and bloody triples!” when he was passed out by Bulman and Tobin on Mahon Falls.

Meanwhile a peloton of 10 from Le Groupe Agréable left Lidl carpark at 9.30am. They headed to Killeagh and onto Lisgould. From here they steered towards Glanmire and Glounthaune for the welcome cup of tea and banter. Well refreshed they took the direct route back to Youghal on the N25. All along the N25 they took advantage of the good surface and pushed the pace high, by the time they rolled into town they had 100km on the legs, at an average speed of 29kph.

Finally, Le Group de Scone & Thé, assembled at Moby Dicks at 10am for a more leisurely spin. Concentrating on the more social points of cycling and how the Tour of Flanders was going they headed towards Ardmore and took the steady climb to Kielys Cross. Here they crossed the N25 and took the long descent down by Mount Stuart and into Clashmore before rolling into town with a nice 60km on the legs.

Monthly Meeting The monthly club meeting will be held this Wednesday, 4th April 2012 in the Church of the Holy Family at 8pm. All members and anyone interested in joining are asked to attend.

Schedule as follows (weather dependent):

Tuesday & Thursday at 10am from Lidl Carpark – Intermediate Cycling

Tuesday & Thursday at 7.30pm – Lidl Carpark for a 60-90 minute high tempo spin

Saturday’s at 10am from Lidl Carpark – Beginner & Intermediate Cycling

Sunday at 9am from Moby Dicks – Intermediate Cycling (Two Groups)

Sunday at 10am from Moby Dicks – Beginner (& Golden) Cycling

Please note that all riders are expected to have road bikes (racer type) of good repair for scheduled spins. Riders must wear helmets, bring a spare tube & pump.