Blennerhassett’s Classy Finish!
It’s clear that Tom Blennerhassett was prepared for the possibility of victory on his racing debut in the Orwell pre-season race at Black bull on Saturday.
Not for Tom the tongue flapping lunge for the line at red line heart rate. Instead he calmly bridged across to late attacker John Latham approaching the line and, after taking the time to adjust his jersey and close his zip, completed the coup de grace with a sprint finish of noteworthy ease.
The 15 riders that assembled in sunny, calm and dry conditions at Black Bull included nine riders making their racing debuts, most of whom were to the fore at the conclusion of 30 brisk kilometres. The course carried the three groups up the Trim Road to Warrenstown, followed by the drag up to Dorey’s Forge and the blast back the Summerhill/Dunboyne Road to the left turn for Culmullin.
Dave McLoughlin chose a finish between the crossroads and the Church in Culmullin which proved to be just a little too far for Latham, another rookie, whose daring attack off the Summerhill Road eliminated all but Bennerhassett from the shake up for victory.
The remainder of the combined Limit and Semi Limit groups which had converged on Dorey’s Forge fought out the remaining finishing positions with the four-rider scratch group trailing in 30 seconds down.
Patrick O’Brien edged out Ian O’Connell and Romano Morelli for third with Michael Hanley rounding out the top six.
Former Orwell Ras racer Joe McSherry made his comeback after a 20-year break from cycling and turned down the chance to ride in the limit group, instead opting to row in with scratch. Joe showed he obviously hasn't lost it in the intervening years by hanging on to finish with the group.
But it was Blennerhassett who carried off the winner’s prize generously donated by Joe Daly’s Cycles and who is likely to have earned an early cub league upgrade for his efforts.
Orwell Pre-Season Race, Black Bull, 27th February
1, Tom Blennerhassett;
2, John Latham;
3, Patrick O'Brien;
4, Ian O'Connell;
5, Romano Morelli;
6, Michael Hanley.
