By Brian Canty
The Des Hanlon Memorial is the first big showdown of the year with many of the country’s top riders set to convene on Carlow this Sunday to fight it out.
It’s a 160-kilometre race famed for its gruelling lumpy parcours.
Because of its early season date, it’s usually made more difficult by cold, wet and windy conditions. So to win requires as much physical as mental strength.
Here, we’ve collected a sample of some Irish riders' past and present recollections of their first ‘Hanlon'.
Timmy Barry (Aqua Blue)
“I did it my first year back racing in 2000. Back then the A1s had a separate race from the A2 but the A2s could ride the A1 race if they wanted.
“I was A2 at the time but stupidly raced the A1 race. I got dropped from that and was caught by the A2 race with all the lads laughing at me.
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“Then I got dropped by the A2s so it wasn’t a good day out. But I finished third the following year.
“It's the one race that annoys me because I didn’t win, though I was second twice.” (Photo: Pat Doherty)
Bryan McCrystal (Team ASEA), 2014 winner
“As triathletes do, I lined up in 2011 (I think) and planned to use the race as training. I think I had a 30 minute run planned for afterwards.
“I don’t need to say; but the run didn’t happen.
"To win last year was more a surprise to me than anyone else. How can a fat bastard win the Hanlon?” (Photo: Damien Faulkner)
Stephen Murray (Strata3-VeloRevolution)
“I rode my first Hanlon two years ago and I recall it being fucking freezing. I finished in the second group on the road.
“I recall getting to the finish line and bonked so hard I didn't know where I was.
“One of the lads cycled my bike back while I got in the car and ate around 10 chocolate bars. I remember thinking at the time that I might die.” (Photo: John Coleman)
Greg Swinand (Team Aqua Blue)
“When I first got to racing in Ireland, I’d been already racing almost 20 years in the USA.
“The thing was though, we really had no racing such as the Hanlon, even in New England, where the weather could be bad.
“It was raining hard and quite cold. The first lap I didn’t go so badly, the second lap was harder but on the third lap I was dying.
“There are places with crosswinds on the climbs, and positioning for them is crucial. So if you don’t know them, they can be your undoing, as they were for me.” (Photo: Sean Rowe)
Simon Ryan (Mego Racing Team)
“All I know is I don’t like it but to be honest, I can’t remember anything from my first one.
“I don’t remember a thing even from last year’s one. Obviously you’re not going to remember something you don't enjoy.
“It’s just another race to me.” (Photo: Gerry Murray)
Ryan Sherlock (Unattached)
“The Des Hanlon was my first road race. As I had already been racing elite on the mountain bike I was thrown into the deep end (A1-A2) from the off.
“It was bright but cold at the start. Around 150 riders started and 10 minutes in there was hail, snow and wind.
“I couldn’t feel my arms the first time we hit the climbs. The race split into groups of 20s or 30s.
“After a few hours we finished and somehow I was 12th-15th but I found out afterwards that only around 20 finished.
“I loved it and thought this was a ‘standard’ Sunday road race. That day was probably the worst conditions I have raced on the road in.”
Patrick Clarke (Fitscience)
“My first Hanlon was in 2009 and I ended up riding over to the break which had Brian Kenneally and the late Paul Healion in it.
“Actually, riding is a bit of a understatement; I had to sit on the whole way at nearly maximum heart rate.
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“Once I got across I was dropped immediately. Kenneally won, I came 10th.
“It’s the toughest race on the calendar. I was fourt last year; hopefully better this year.” (Photo: Jimmy McElroy)
John Dempsey (Carrick Wheelers)
“I rode my first Hanlon in 1997 as a second year junior. On the way down in the Clonmel CC car the climb of the Butts was pointed out and I was told whoever is first over it always wins.
“So about 15 kilometres before the climb I got away on my own and got a good gap. The Clonmel car was so excited shouting out the windows at me on the climb they actually hit my rear wheel.
“I went over the climb first thinking I had it in the bag but got caught on a climb afterwards by a small group that Mark Scanlon was dragging along.
“Scanlon overdid it and finished third. I was around 8th out of a group of eight. It’s a great race and anyone who wins it is a great bike rider.”
Rory Wyley (Carrick) – winner 2004 & 2005
“It was 2004 and I had returned from England in January. The Hanlon was the first big rendezvous of the season.
"I'd done the other races in Munster leading up to it but no one knew me.
“There was a break got away, about a dozen; Paul Griffin was there and some of the top domestic guys.
“Ciarán Power was a pro at the time but wasn’t in the break.
"We turned left at Castlecomer and we had a raging tailwind so I attacked pretty much at the bottom and was surprised to see no one apart from Philip Finnegan came with me.
“I drove on with Philip on my wheel and flicked my elbow for him to come through but he didn’t initially.
“I distinctly remember it, and we always have a joke about it now.
“I was on the front and I didn’t attack him, he just let go of the wheel and I was able to solo in in splendid isolation which was lovely, and the only way I could win because I couldn’t sprint.
“They were some of the best legs I ever had, it was rare that I had legs like that. The break behind made no impact, I think I was actually gaining time on them all the way to the finish.”
Aidan Crowley (Strata3-VeloRevolution)
“I won it as a junior in 1992 but I’ve been shit ever since so I usually give it a miss.”
Adam Armstrong – winner 2008
“My first Hanlon was in 2007. It started to snow about a mile after the start and I had no gloves.
“I remember being barely able to change gear on the last lap my hands were so cold.
“I was totally unaware of how long the race was; I remember Ryan Connor coming up to me on the second lap and asking why I was riding so hard when there was still half the race left.
“I ended up third after getting dropped on the last climb by Ciarán Power and Ryan.
“It was possibly the hardest day I've had on a bike - but made me want to come back for some more.” (Photo: Marian Lamb - Cycling Ulster)
Anthony Walsh (Team Aqua Blue)
“I snuck into the break in my first Hanlon. Five of us got clear. Mark Dowling, Peter Hawkins, Gregb Swinand, Sean Lacey and myself.
“It was just established and settled down when Lacey rides past me and says, 'I know the others but you’re new, who are you?' in his best Kerry accent.
“I finished fifth out of that five-man break but went home happy as it was my first taste of racing A1-A2.”
Adrian Hedderman - winner 2003
“My first Hanlon was in 1996 and I remember chatting to Colm Bracken down the back.
“Then I looked up and the break was gone and the race over so that was a lesson learnt.
“My best memory was 2003 when I went out the back on the climb but got back on with about 3 kilometres to go, albeit with help of Paddy Moriarty and Greg Swinand.
“I attacked inside the last kilometre and held on for the win. Very different to my debut Hanlon...”
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