Aine Kelly and Clare Dillon at the Newry 3-Day

Pinergy-Orwell Wheelers enjoyed another highly successful trip to the Newry 3-day this year with both the Men’s and Women’s team netting a serious haul of results from the weekend, the highlight of which was probably Aine Kelly’s fifth overall in the Women’s Race while the Men’s team took third in the team classification and Aimhirghin Ó Brannagáin came eighth overall with Patrick O’Sullivan the top Junior.

The women’s race saw a strong team of five Orwell women line out: Clare Dillion, Josephine Lynch, Aine Reilly, Yvonne Doran and Aine Kelly.

With only 19 women registered, the field was smaller than previous years, meaning there would be nowhere to hide. With several riders just back from a summer racing in Europe and others hoping to prove themselves ahead of Rás na mBan in four weweek’s time, it was clear from the outset that it would be a hard three days of racing.

Stage 1 consisted of a day for the sprinters; 27 miles (3 laps) up and down a flat dual carriageway. A fast tempo was set from the gun. With a headwind on the way out, no one was getting away. The group worked well together until the roundabout. The return leg saw relentless attacking, but nothing sticking, a true testament to how strong the entire field were. The race finished in a bunch sprint, with Darcy Harkness taking the win. For Orwell, Yvonne Doran finished 8th and Clare Dillion finished 10th. With no time lost for any of the Orwell ladies, the GC was all to play for.

The Orwell Team with the sun on their backs

Stage 2 consisted of a 92km circuit (2 loops) and 3 times up a Cat 3 climb. Double espressos at the HQ GAA grounds before getting on the bikes were deemed mandatory! Similar to stage 1, stage 2 was a very positive race with the group working well together to keep the tempo high. Attack followed attack on this relentless circuit with the GC all to play for. A blistering pace up the first climb saw a number of riders go out the back. A descent followed with these riders working hard to get back on. At 85km, the bunch approached the bottom of the cat 3 climb together for the last time. Aliyah Rafferty (sister to Darren Rafferty) was after the QOH jersey and set a blistering pace on the final climb. Five riders followed her, including Aine Kelly. Abi Conway of Westport Covey Wheelers CC was first to cross the finish line. Aine Kelly finished 5th, losing no time. Clare Dillion and Yvonne Doran came in only 36 seconds down to take 9th and 11th place. Josephine Lynch DNF’d, calling it a day on the 2nd loop after showing sheer determination on multiple occasions throughout the day to successfully get back on. 16 year-old Aine Reilly was dropped on the first loop but battled the wind and hills solo to the very end. What determination from the young rider. Overall GC standings saw Aine Kelly sitting in 6th place, Clare Dillion in 9th and Yvonne Doran in 10th.

Yvonne Doran on the attack

Stage 3 was another day for the climbers, consisting of a 74km circuit (3 loops) with 2 x CAT 3 climbs and 2 x CAT 2 climbs. The race finished on a 700m long 9% climb, which was the talking point of the weekend!

With 0.00 time separating the top 6 GC riders, and Aine Kelly sitting in 6th place, the GC was all to play for. At 15km in, an early break of 3 girls went up the road which included two of the strongest riders in the field, Aliyah Rafferty (polka dot jersey) and Darcy Harkness (points jersey). Too dangerous to let go and with team mates in the bunch disrupting the chase, Aine Kelly and Clare Dillion spent the next 15 minutes working hard to successfully bring it back. Similar to stage 2, the climbs split the group, most notably the first time up the attritional CAT 2, 9% climb into Rathfriland. Six riders including the yellow jersey, polka dot jersey and Aine Kelly got away, but nothing was sticking and everyone got back on soon after. The bunch approached the last climb together with Abi Conway and Aliyah Rafferty fighting it out and crossing the finish line to take a well deserved 1st and 2nd place on the day. Aine Kelly finished 24 seconds down in 6th position with Clare Dillion and Yvonne Doran following soon after to take 10th and 12th place respectively. Another courageous day for Aine Reilly who got dropped on the attritional 9% climb 34km in. She paired up with fellow junior; Sophie English from Bohermeen CC and they worked well together until English punctured out. Showing true determination, Reilly battled on to the very end finishing in 14th place.

A fantastic weekend of racing for the Orwell Wheelers women’s team. A Sincere thank you to Orwell wheelers for their sponsorship and support. Also a big thank you to Terry Reilly who played the role of mechanic, bike washer, driver, and motivator for the weekend! Without this support, it wouldn’t be possible.

Overall GC standings

Aine Kelly 5th

Clare Dillion 10th

Yvonne Doran 11th

Aine Reilly 14th

Meanwhile, the men’s race saw a strong team of 5 Orwell Wheelers men line up on the start line: Patrick O Sullivan, Diarmuid Collins, Aimhirghin O Brannagáin, Luke Keaney and Cahir O’Higgins .With over 100 riders in the peloton if was going to be fast and furious weekend. The team had great mix of youth and experienced heading into the 3 days of racing.

Aimhirghin O Brannagáin ripping it up

Stage 1 consisted of a day for the sprinters; 56km (4 laps) up and down a flat dual carriageway. Due to the strong head wind no attacks where sticking Aimhirghin and Cahir tried a few times but after an early crash during the lap prime everybody settled until the bunch sprint finish. Cahir made a massive effort in the final lap to weave his way to the front but just left it to late. Patrick, Luke and Diarmuid all came home in the bunch getting ready for a big effort tomorrow.

Stage2 - All 90 riders starting on the same time meant this was going to be moving day! Riders headed to Ring of Gullion with sunshine on their backs which made for a great day of racing. The lads were cycling really well and Cahir was in the chasing group going after the leader Paul Kennedy 30km in. After 40km into the 127km race disaster stuck for Luke has chain came off on the main climb of the day! He lost secs having to jump of in the middle of the pack and fix the issue. When the group went up the road with only 30km left it was Patrick’s time to go work. He was supported well by Aimhirghin who was putting out fires and pulling back any attack from 11 riders trying to catch the second group. Diarmuid worked hard to come home in the peloton after tough day but the highlight was Patrick who came 5th and was the first junior home. The team was sitting in 4th position in the overall classification and Patrick was 6th on GC.

Stage 3 - Was a day for climbers again with a monster effort that peaked at 18% having a massive say on where races going to be won or lost ! Cahir was 10 secs up the road with 5 riders in an early break only to be stopped in his tracks by cows on the road. Bodies were tired but Patrick and Aimhirghin going well, making moves over first lap! Orwell held its own on Day 3 as race hit the big climb. Luke was dropped and struggled to catch the peloton. Cahir was active again hold his own at the front of the race but burning a lot matches. The GC appeared to be all but sealed with the top two on GC having over two minutes on their next best competitors. Lucan chased Cahir hard up the road early doors but missed a large group of twenty that slipped away on the second lap. Aimhirghin made the bridge with Chris Reilly from Bohermeen.

Patrick O'Sullivan was the top Junior

The group rode honestly and consistently without fail until 25km to go when the winning move was made. Aimhirghin made that move as well, diamonds in the legs.

In the last 13km the cat and mouse began but with a Halesowen rider in virtual yellow, he locked down the race and drove the pace on to secure the overall win. It came to a sprint up the final hill into Rathfriland. While Aimhirghin couldn’t follow the lightweight juniors into the finish he displayed true heart and grit for a very respectable 5th.

A patient and clever attack on the last stage on the last kilometer by Diarmuid gained time and nudged Orwell in to third position over all and moved Diarmuid up on GC!!

Diarmuid, Luke and Aimhirghin pleased with their weekend's work

Results:

Team General Classification: 3rd

GC : Aimhirghin 8th

Best Junior Overall: Patrick