Robin Kelly has been victorious in the Ned Flanagan Memorial twice. Can he make it three this Sunday on the first day of the new season? (Photo: Dave O'Brien Photography)
By Brian Canty
The organisers of the fourth annual Ned Flanagan Memorial are expecting their biggest ever turnout this Sunday as the race kicks off the 2015 domestic cycling season.
Some 180 signed on last year for the hugely popular event which caters for all adult categories.
John Malone of promoting club Newbridge CC is expecting an increase on that this year.
“All indications seem to suggest the numbers will be much bigger and we’ll certainly welcome that,” he said.
“The course is reasonably flat with one little drag on the back of the route but there’s very little climbing. It’s a fast man’s race.
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“It’s only 60k so for this time of the year it’s probably adequate. Most guys who’ve come have been very pleased and it suits a lot of guys.”
Robin Kelly is the defending champion and the former Aquablue CC man, now riding for Waterford Racing Team, will be aiming for his third title.
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The cold weather and flat course will make this weekend's races a fast, short and sharp shock to the system (Photo: Amy Norah Farrell)
But Kelly can expect a ferocious challenge from any number of riders in the A1 and A2 ranks.
There are separate races for the A3s and A4s while women and juniors are also welcome.
First off will be the A1-A2 riders at 11.30am and they will be followed five minutes later by the remaining categories.
There’s a generous prize fund of €1,500 and there’s cash for the first 6 over the line in each category while the first six unplaced A2s will also get a prize.
The winners of each race will also receive an identical Ned Flanagan Memorial trophy.
Sign-on is in the Bellyard Pub in Monasterevin from 9.30am. Cost of entry is €20 for non-Cycling Ireland members and €10 for members.
There is also a leisure cycle on the day with sign-on from the Bellyard Pub between 8-9.15am, with that event getting underway at 9.30am.
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