Dundalk Girls in action in the Rás na nÓg

Rhiannon Dolan and Andrea Rogers

 

Drogheda was the center of the Irish cycling scene over the weekend with the running of the Rás na nÓg, Since its inception in 2007 the race has become one of the premier youth racing events on the calendar.  The annual event is a 3 stage, 2 day race, which see hundreds of underage male and female cyclists compete. 
Andrea Rogers and Rhiannon Dolan from Cuhulainn's underage section traveled to Bellewstown to take part in the race. The girls were competing in their first ever road race in the Under 12 event and both gave good accounts of themselves. Rhiannon was 4th over-all in her event. Andrea had some bad luck with crashes and mechanical problems, however such was the determination she showed that she was rewarded with a special presentation. The club’s underage section meets every Monday night at The Bike Station from 7 to 8pm and new members are always welcome.  For information contact Karl Dolan 087 2219810.
 
Meanwhile in the IVCA racing the results just keep coming for Ray Fedigan. This time he claimed another 3rd place in the latest round in Kilcullen. With 2 riders having escaped the main bunch & taken the victor's spoils, Ray led home the rest. Jimmy Flynn, also of Cuchulainn, was just behind Ray in 5th place. Dale Copas also had a strong race to finish in 10th, with another clubman, Aidan Delaney, right behind him in 11th.
 
This week sees the eagerly anticipated return of the Bike Station summer cycling league. The 15 round league starts on Thursday (April 19th) and will see a number of new course, including for the 1st time an ascent of the dreaded Jenkinstown Hill. The last time Jenkinstown saw a bunch was in the hey days of Sean kelly & Stephen Roche when it was used as part of the Nissan Classic. The league is sure to see some exciting racing, with over 150riders signed up to compete.