MacDonald claims bronze in Belfast as Cuchulainn clinch gold in team event

Aidan MacDonald who claimed the bronze in the Vets National Cyclo Cross Championships

Sunday saw the first Irish Cycling Championship of 2014, when Belfast’s Lady Dixon Park hosted the event that was so ably hosted in 2013 by Cuchulainn Cycling Club. The rain soaked day made for a very muddy course with riders struggling to stay upright as they raced through forests and across grass and footpaths.

It was an especially successful day for Cuchulainn’s Aidan MacDonald who claimed a bronze medal in the vets championship. Aidan is no stranger to winning medals especially in mountain biking but this was a particularly epic performance where he had to work extra hard to hold off the defending champion, Peter McConville of Newry Wheelers. Also competing in the vets race were Gary Shiels and Johnny McCabe, who finished 5th and 8th respectively. These three positions meant that Cuchulainn took the gold in the team prize. The result is testament to the depth of talent that has developed in Dundalk’s cycling.

In the elite race Ray O’Shaughnessey was an outside bet for the win, with the two outstanding favourites being defending champion of Banbridge Roger Aiken and Dublin’s Robyn Seymour. Ray had a great start and was in a group of four that formed behind runaway winner Roger Aiken. Unfortunately Ray suffered a puncture while half way through a lap and had to run with his bike to the pits. This mechanical pushed him to 12th position and, while he fought bravely to finish in fourth, he ultimately ran out of road before being able to move into the medals. Ray will now take some down time before ramping up his training for the An Post Rás in May, where he will once again be competing as party of the Louth team.

Irish Cyclo Cross season in full swing

Ray O’Shaughnessy in action in the latest round of the Fixx Coffeehouse Supercross

The Irish Cyclo Cross season is now in full swing and the latest round of the Fixx Coffeehouse Supercross Series was held in Tallaght’s Tymon Park on Sunday last. The race consisted of 9 laps of a tight circuit around the park, which was made up of a mix of path, grass and forest trail along with the usual obstacles. The recent dry weather meant that the surfaces held up well making for fast racing.

Cuchulainn riders were in the thick of the main race with Ray O’Shaughnessy in a close battle with 10 time national champion Robyn Seymour of Dublin. Early on the racing was very tight with Tim Regan of Meath forging ahead, however Seymour by lap 4 had taken the lead and started to build a sizable advantage. Ray after a somewhat slower start, began moving his way up the field and by mid race was lapping faster than Seymour. On the seventh lap he moved into second position and remained there, finishing just over a minute behind the winner.

Another clubman Aidan MacDonald came home in 6th position to take first vet on the day, beating the National Vets Champion Peter McConville of Newry. Also in the top 12 and 4th vet was Johnny McCabe.Vet Gerry McCabe and Gary Shiels also completed the race. In the B race Declan McCabe had a good outing, finishing in 6th position.