Summary:

We started the day with the U6s and U8s. This race braved the worst of today's rain. The U10s were next up, and it was still chilly. The U12s rode on a longer course which consisted of most of the opening of the main course. The Women's, U16s and U14s race was run in good conditions, where we presented Dipped Chocolate Apples at our Pumpkin Podium. The Men's B-Race and A-Race were run in toasty sunshine, which left our competitors searching for their lightest clothing layers.

Thank you to our Leinster regulars, our Munster and Connaught visitors, and our American guest.

Thanks to our support team, Commissaires Ronan Fox and Jason O'Toole, MC Paul Joyce and Timing provided by Pat from EliteTiming.

And a big thanks to our crew of volunteers.

 

Media

The full Results are here: Orwell CX results 2022.

Sean Rowe/Sportsphoto Ireland: Men's A-Race / Men's B-Race / Women's, U16 & U14.

John Hammer: Men's A-Race / Men's B-Race / Women, U16 & U14.

Orwell Wheelers Photo: Underage Start / Underage Race Video / Women's, U16 & U14 / Youth Podiums / Men's B-Race / Men's A-Race / Men's A-Race Video.

Keith Colville/Verge Sport Ireland: Men's A-Race Highlights / Ep 4 The Irish Cycling Show.

 

Underage Racing

We don't record the results of the U6, U8 and U10 races as the aim of these races is to have fun. There was some great riding by Ben Cunningham (Orwell Wheelers). Behind Ben there was a three rider train, racing for second. In the last three laps, the rider in the Ineos jersey eventually pulled away from the two Orwell riders chasing him.

The U12s Boys and Girls started together. James Cunningham (Orwell Wheelers) quickly pulled out a gap. Tomás Connolly (Orwell Wheelers) finished in second, after holding that position for most of the race. Jake Govin (Orwell Wheelers) was third after a battle with Laoise Crinion (IMBRC). Aoife Killeen (Orwell Wheelers) was second with Ciara O'Connor (Drogheda Wheelers) in third.

Just off the podiums were William Hance (Orwell Wheelers) in fourth. Ruairi Horohoe (Lakeside Wheelers Mullingar), who was racing up from the U10 acquitted himself well, in fifth. Oran Flynn (Un-Attached Leinster) was sixth.

U12 Male

1  James Cunningham  Orwell Wheelers
2  Tomás Connolly    Orwell Wheelers
3  Jake Govin        Orwell Wheelers
4  William Hance     Orwell Wheelers
5  Ruairi Horohoe    Lakeside Wheelers Mullingar
6  Oran Flynn        Un-Attached Leinster

U12 Male

1  Laoise Crinion    IMBRC
2  Aoife Killeen     Orwell Wheelers
3  Ciara O'Connor    Drogheda Wheelers

 

The Entry Fee for the Underage Racing is kindly covered by Joe Daly Cycles, Dundrum, Dublin 16.

Joe Daly Cycles have long been a supporter of Orwell Wheelers and nationwide Cycling events. They're returning to sponsor our CycloCross Race for a fourth year. If you're in the market for a new bike, some bike parts and/or advice for all ages check them out.

 

Youth Racing

In the U16 Male race, it was a south Leinster dominated podium. Hugh Óg Mulhearne (Panduit Carrick Wheelers) continued his strong Munster CX League form and took the win. Jack Woods (Carlow RCC) was second. Darragh Byrne (Gorey CC) was third.

Luca Holmes (Orwell Wheelers) took the Best Unplaced Orwell rider in the Youth Races with a fourth place.

1  Hugh óg Mulhearne  Panduit Carrick Wheelers
2  Jack Woods         Carlow RCC
3  Darragh Byrne      Gorey CC

 

In the U16 Female race, Faith Robinson (Bray Wheelers) fended off familiar foes for the win. Rhiannon Dolan (Cuchulainn CC) was 15 seconds behind, in second. Grace O'Rourke (Cuchulainn CC) rounded out the podium in third.

1  Faith Robinson     Bray Wheelers
2  Rhiannon Dolan     Cuchulainn CC
3  Grace O'Rourke     Cuchulainn CC

 

In the U14 Male race, Fionn Crinion (IMBRC) was in fine form and triumphed. Eoin Davis (Bohermeen CC) was second. Niall McDonald (Carlow RCC) was on the third step of the podium.

1  Fionn Crinion      IMBRC
2  Eoin Davis         Bohermeen CC
3  Niall McDonald     Carlow RCC

 

In the U14 Female race, Katie Turner (Orwell Wheelers) continued her run of results, in first. Ysabella Huele (Orwell Wheelers) was second.

1  Katie Turner       Orwell Wheelers
2  Ysabella Huele     Orwell Wheelers

 

Men's B-Race

The Men's B-Race ended in an exciting sprint finish between Pierce O'Leary (IMBRC) and Aidan Carroll (Tullamore CTC). Both men were neck and neck through out the opening three laps, where they were joined by David Casserly (Longford CRC). All three men looking to convert their front row grid slot. Unfortunately, David had to DNF after lap three. On lap four Pierce gained a slight advantage, which Aidan duly cancelled out on lap five. In the end, it was Pierce O'Leary who won the sprint.

On the final step of the podium, it was success for Orwell Junior, Conor Fennell. Conor fought his way from an ungridded spot, and put in very competitive lap times on lap two and three, as he made his way up the order.

Normally the top three in the B-Race are Upgraded to the A-Race, but as Conor is a Junior, it is recommended that he remain in the Bs to try to win a race, under the CI Off-Road Commission Directive (2023 Irish Cyclo-cross announcement).

Sean O'Leary (IMBRC) and Barry Paul Dunne (Kildare CC) were fourth and fifth, and will be aiming to be on the podium in the upcoming B-Races.

Domhnaill O'Sullivan was the First Unplaced Orwell rider.

It's fantastic to see so many Orwell riders in the B-Race, after a few seasons with lower numbers.

1  Pierce O'Leary     IMBRC
2  Adrian Carroll     Tullamore CTC
3  Connor Fennell     Orwell Wheelers

 

The Prize Pool for the Men's B-Race and the Youth Races was kindly sponsored by Footprints Early Learning PreSchools, Marrowbone Lane in Merchants Quay and Inchicore. 

Footprints Early Learning, owned by Rácheal Govin, returned for its second Orwell CX Race Sponsorship. Footprints Early Learning have two locations in Dublin, and cater for PreSchool aged children, school aged children in After School daycare and Camps for the School Holidays.

 

Women's Race

The Women's Race start list was very strong, and was maybe three or four riders short of what we can expect in the upcoming Cycling Ireland National CX Series.

Grace Young (All human/VeloRevolution) was gridded first, and had a slender lead at the end of lap one. Joanne Grogan (BMB Racing Team), visiting from the USA to take in the UCI C2 race in Clonmel, then used lap two to reel Grace in and lap 3 to build a gap in the lead. On lap four, Grace pulled back 24 seconds, with an 8:28 lap, the fifth fastest lap of the race, to retake the lead. She padded out her lead by 9 seconds on the fifth and final lap.

In the battle for the final podium positions, Stephanie Roche (Scott Bright Motor Group) made a second lap move on her sister Annie Roche (Scott Bright Motor Group) stick.

 

Annie Roche (Scott Bright Motor Group) was the Unplaced U23 Rider.

Katie Reilly (Orwell Wheelers) was the Unplaced Junior.

Jean Wilson (Orwell Wheelers) was the first Unplaced Master.

Suzanne White (Sorrento CC) was the second Unplaced Master.

Agnieszka Maria Trzcinska (Un-Attached Leinster) was the third Unplaced Master.

 

1  Grace Young        All human/VeloRevolution Racing Team
2  Joanne Grogan      BMB RACING TEAM
3  Stephanie Roche    Scott Bright Motor Group

 

The Prize Pool for the Women's Race was kindly sponsored by All-American Laundrette, George's Street, Dublin 2.

The All-American Laundrette, owned by Orla Hendron, returned for its fourth Orwell CX Race Sponsorship. This year, with Orla's help, we were able to offer a multiple Master's Women's prizes. The Masters Women is a new National Championship, and it would be nice to see this side of the sport grow.

 

Men's A-Race

The Sean Nolan (EvoPro Racing) show started at 14:10 on Sunday. Sean went tape-to-tape as his form is building ahead of his upcoming European schedule. His laps were really consistent with laps 2, 3, 4 and 5 being within 5 second of each other.

The battle for the final two podium spots was contested between, Race Organiser, Ronan O'Flynn (Orwell Wheelers), Richie Maes (All human/VeloRevolution) and Frank McDermott (Oldcastle CC). Brian Melia (Team WORC) was involved in this pack in the opening lap. Ronan and Frank had the back-up plan of being eligible for the Unplaced M40 Prize, so Richie didn't want to be left empty handed.

The trio had very close lap times on every lap, but it was Ronan's early pace that seen him claim second place.

Richie made up the position on Frank on lap three, and he found one or two seconds per lap until the final lap, to hold on for third.

 

 

Frank McDermott (Oldcastle CC) was the Unplaced M40.

Johnny McCabe (Cuchulainn CC) was the Unplaced M50.

 

 

Killian O'Brien (Orwell Wheelers) was the first Unplaced Junior, in 7th place overall.

David Harrington (Orwell Wheelers) was the second Unplaced Junior.

Paul Kane (Orwell Wheelers) was the unplaced Orwell Club rider.

 

1  Sean Nolan         EVOPRO RACING
2  Ronan O Flynn      Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club
3  Richard Maes       All human/VeloRevolution Racing Team

 

The Prize Pool for the Men's A-Race was kindly sponsored by Bike Fitting Ireland/Aidan Hammond, Kilmacanogue, Wicklow.

Bike Fitting Ireland/Aidan Hammond, returned as a sponsor of the Orwell CX Race for the fourth year Aidan is Ireland's Number One Bike Fitter, a fully qualified physio and a Level 3 Cycling Ireland Qualified Coach. Winter is a perfect time for setting goals for 2023, as a coach Aidan can help you achieve these goals. If you need to review your bike fit, the winter is a good time to make these changes, so you can adapt to them before your season. Aidan also offers vouchers, so with Christmas approaching, a Bike Fit Voucher could make a nice stocking filler.

There was a €20 Off Voucher for a Bike Fit by Aidan at the sign-on.