Orwell members were in action across multiple disciplines in two countries this weekend, with the senior action focussed on Balbriggan, while the Youth Tour of Scotland was taking place abroad, and the National Duathlon Champs happening in Ashford.
The Balbriggan weekend opened on Saturday with the fast and furious Harry Reynolds Memorial handicap. Aidan Collins showed what might have been in Rás Mumhan, were it not for an unfortunately timed puncture in Kerry, when he stormed in as first unplaced A2 rider. Collins' form is gathering pace perfectly in the lead up to the Rás, when he'll undoubtedly be a preferred rider for the squad.
Sunday saw the gruelling Ben McKenna (A1/2 and A3) and Jazzer Wherity (A4) Memorials run over a new course, with a finish line coming after three kilometres of climbing along narrow back roads. The A3 bunch fractured on each lap, but Philippe Bourdarias was always well positioned and stayed with the fluctuating lead group throughout. On the final climb, a break of four riders stayed away, but Bourdarias surged from the pursuing group to mop up several lone chasers and take a fine fifth place.
With that placing, Bourdarias opened his account for the season, his last result being in the 2012 edition of the Charleville Two Day. His early season was hampered by a crash in the Ned Flanagan, but Bourdarias has shown that it doesn't take him long to get back to winning form.
The last rider that he passed before crossing the line was our very own Darragh Long, riding for NRPT, who took the sixth spot. Long was up the road for much of the last two laps, so the result is the culmination of a very strong ride from him.
Bourdarias taking fifth ahead of Long (photo courtesy of David S.)
In the A1/2 race, Orwell scored another unplaced A2 prize as Odhran Connors came in fourth. Just two slots ahead of him was ex-Orwell rider Sean McKenna (UCD). McKenna is having a magnificent early season, while Connors is building towards a probable Rás spot. He has obviously kept his legs fresh from Rás Mumhan, where he finished 90th of nearly 200 starters.
Meanwhile in Scotland, the Neenan Travel Talent Team 2020 are enjoying great success. With the fourth and final stage set for today, the GC in the girls' race is currently led by Ireland's Emily Birchall. Birchall soloed to victory on the first stage, came in with the lead group on stage two, and recorded the fastest time in the third stage TT. Orwell's own Naoise Sheridan is performing strongly also, currently sitting at 20th on GC. Sheridan's best result came in the stage two crit, when she finished 16th, and no doubt she'll be looking to improve on that today.
Sheridan continues the Orwell role in Scotland - last year Rachael Kaye-Mellor accompanied Birchall to the tour. Coach Orla Hendron has taken the lessons learned last year, and applied them to spectacular effect, with the Irish squad currently sitting second overall.
Lastly, and we don't normally do this, but the Irish Duathlon Champs were fought out on Saturday in Ashford. Orwell members competed there under various guises, including Cahir O'Higgins, Laura Shilling, and National Hill Climb Champ Rachel Glendon. Glendon put in a very competitive time to get a podium spot, coming home third in her category.
Harry Reynolds Memorial
1 Javan Nulty (DID Dunboyne)
2 Craig Sweetman (Stamullen M Donnelly)
3 Paul Kennedy (McNally Swords)
4 Ciaran O Conluain (UCD)
5 Eoin Morton (UCD)
6 Joe Christian (Bray Wheelers)
7 Andrew Meehan (DID Dunboyne)
8 Chris Reilly (Bohermeen)
Unplaced A2
1 Aidan Collins (DTC Orwell Wheelers)
2 Colm Laverty (Stamullen M Donnelly)
Unplaced A3
1 Aidan Wall (Navan RC)
2 Michael Devins (Eire Og)
Unplaced A4
1 Joseph Breheny (UCD)
2 John Holland (Swords CC)
Lady
Fran Meehan – Aqua Blue
Ben McKenna Memorial (A1/2)
1 Damien Shaw (AquaBlue)
2 Stuart Henry (North Down CC)
3 Joe Fenlon (AquaBlue)
4 Greg Swinand (Usher IRC)
5 Colin Robinson (Stamullen M Donnelly)
6 Conor Murphy (Eurocycles)
7 Thomas Lavery (Comeragh CC)
8 Andrew Meehan (DID Dunboyne)
9 Brian McKinney (Duffin Transport)
10 Mark Buchanan (North Pole CC)
Unplaced A2
1 Ciaran O’Conluain (UCD CC)
2 Sean McKenna (UCD CC)
3 James Davenport (South Dublin CC)
4 Odhran Connors (DTC Orwell Wheelers)
5 Mark Kiernan ((Murphy Surveyors – Kilcullen)
6 Finbarr Power (Comeragh CC)
7 Lorcan Davoust (South Dublin CC)
8 Stuart Cox (Black Rose Racing)
9 Martin Gill (Wexford Wheelers)
A3 Race
1 Shane Scully (Visit Nenagh)
2 Thomas Simons (Velo)
3 John Dorris (Epic MTB)
4 Patrick Smith (DWCC)
5 Philippe Bourdarias (DTC Orwell Wheelers)
6 Darragh Long (NRPT)
7 Danny Bruton (NRPT)
8 Thomas Fallon (NNV)
9 Luke Maguire (Wexford)
10 Daine Feeley (Donamon Dynamos)
11 Andrew Stewart (Orchard Whlrs)
12 Ciaran Campbell (Drogheda Wheelers CC)
13 Gary Scully (Visit Nenagh)
14 Ciaran Farrell (Dublin Whlrs)
15 Michael Devins (Eire Og)
Jazzer Wherity Memorial
1 Joseph Breheny (UCD)
2 Shane Dillon (Adamstown CC)
3 Dermot Keelan (Cuchulainn CC)
4 John Holland (McNally Swords CC)
5 Keith Coffey (Blanch Wheelies)
6 Ferghal Regan (Headstrong CC)
7 Dermot Gregan (Slipstream CC)
8 Danny Fox (D.U.C.C)
9 Paul Creighan (Cuchulainn CC)
10 Shane Dineen (Blanch Wheelies)
Youth Tour of Scotland results at http://www.bicycles.org.uk/ytos/results/.
Duathlon Champs at Irish Triathlon.
