Ciarán Cassidy nailing a sprint during his younger days riding for Cycleways. Among the casualties here are Sam Bennett, Roger Aiken and Fraser Duncan. The Bikeworx Celbridge man goes to the A3 national championships on Sunday as one of the favourites.
By Brian Canty
Almost 100 riders are down to start the A3 National Road Race Championships in Cong, Co Mayo, on Sunday.
A cracking race is in store over a very difficult course; two laps of a testing 55-kilometre circuit.
There are 466 metres of climbing per lap with a maximum elevation of 132 metres, so while not very difficult, it should split the field.
The wind will play a huge factor and the strong north-westerly breezes that Met Eireann is predicting should make for a hectic race.
And that will suit the more experience riders best; those who know how to ride in the wind and conserve energy until the pointy end of the contest.
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The contenders are many but one name we found impossible to ignore is that of former Irish international, Rás Mumhan stage winner and Tour of Ulster podium finisher Ciarán Cassidy (Team Bikeworx).
Cassidy was a class act back in his pomp around 2009 and after taking a break from racing he has returned and managed to sneak a couple of results for himself in the midweek races at Mondello Park.
Granted, those events are certainly not as challenging as what’s in store tomorrow but we think Cassidy is capable of something.
Aichlinn O’Reilly (Westport Covey Wheelers CC) is another man who should go well and after a solid performance at the Ballinrobe Two-Day last weekend, with two top 10s, he must be seen as a contender.
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His teammate Gerard Corcoran is one who could spring a surprise, especially if it comes to a sprint.
Richard Maes (Killarney CC) proved at the Suir Valley Three-Day that he’s capable of pulling out a result and he certainly wouldn’t be out of place as an A2 or A1.
He was runner-up in the Donal Crowley Memorial and 8th in the Michael Shields Memorial but his biggest result of the year could be awaiting him tomorrow.
Ronan McNamara (Northwest MTB) is another man who will take a bit of beating.
His lofty position in the Cycling Ireland rankings should make everyone in the field sit up and take note.
The Hugo Loughran GP winner is currently eighth in those rankings – the highest-placed rider taking part tomorrow.
Stephen Murphy of Cunga CC will carry the host club’s hopes and he has every right to be confident.
He was narrowly beaten in the Tourmakeady Festival race recently but won’t lack any motivation to go one better this time out.
Paul Kennedy (Newcastlewest CC) should be there or thereabouts and having come up from the A4 ranks earlier in the year he’s shown no fear in the A3 grade.
He was third in the Tralee Manor West GP and third also in the Donal Crowley Memorial while Cael Coen (Fitscience) might be just out of the junior ranks but should go well also.
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