A big group from the club headed to Marymount Hospice in Curaheen for the annual Christmas Cracker Cycle. This cycle is one of the best supported charity spins and raises funds for a truly worthy cause. The spin headed south for Bandon and Kinsale, returning via Ballinhassig. The group was led by Deccie Brady and his sidekick Tom' O'Sullivan. Club members raised € 500 on the day.
The 2019 Munster Cyclocross Championships took place at Ballindenisk on Sunday. The Over The Hill Cycling Club promoted event also counted as a round of the Munster CX League. Racers tackled a tough and technical 2.3km course around the beautiful setting of Ballindenisk House. The Elite mens championship went the way of Killarney native Richard Maes, Strata 3 Velo Revolution. Richard took this race by the scruff of the neck from the off. By the end of the 1st lap Maes had a lead of 25secs over the chasing pair of Michael Lucey, Killarney CC and Richard Barry, St.Finbarrs with the veterans Trevor Woods and Patrick Clifford both Strats3 Velo Revolution and Michael O'Loughlin,Unattached a further 20secs in arrears.
On the second lap Maes further extended this advantage and heading out on lap 3 of 6 had 50secs to spare over the 2 chasers. On lap 3 while Richard was extending his lead both Michael Lucey and Richard Barry suffered mechanicals allowing both Michael O'Loughlin and Trevor Woods to close them down. Patrick Clifford had lost touch with this group but had consolidated his position as leading M40. From there on to the finish Maes continued to open the gap leaving the rest to fight over the remaining medals on offer. At the line Richard had over 3mins over Michael O'Loughlin who had worked his way through the chasers to ride away from them and take a fine silver with 50secs to spare over Richard Barry who had to settle for bronze on this occasion. Patrick Clifford took the M40 title and Trevor Woods took the M50 title and 3 overall on the day in the league. Strata3 Velo Revolution also took the team title with 3 riders in the first 7 finishers. Daniel Lynch, O'Leary Stone, Kanturk took the win in the B Race, followed home closely by Stephen McGrath from Fermoy CC. .
Grace Young, Strata3 Velo Revolution is the 2019 Munster Cyclocross Elite Ladies champion. From the gun Grace was determined to take this title and by the end of lap 1 she had managed to open a 20sec lead over the chasers, Lisa Staplebreok, Kenmare and Agnieska Wozniak, Strata3 Velo Revolution. By the time Grace had closed out lap 2 of 4 she had opened that lead up to 45sec. By the time she headed out on her final lap grace had opened the lead to 1:10secs over the still chasing Lisa who had a small 10sec lead over Agnieska. This was the way it would stay until the finish with Grace having 2:15secs to spare at the finish with Lisa taking Silver with a small 8 second gap to Agnieska at the line. The next league race is fixed for
Results
Elite Men
1. Richard Maes Strata 3 VeloRevolution
2. Michael O'Loughlin Unattached Munster
3. Richard Barry St. Finbarrs CC
Elite Women
1. Grace Young Strata 3 VeloRevolution
2.Lisa Stapelbroek Kenmare CC
3.Agnieszka Wozniak Strata 3 VeloRevolution
Junior Men
1. Ruairi Coughlan Scott Eurocycles
2. Fionn Desmond MBCC
3. David McCarthy Verge Sport PI Cycles
Mens B Race
1. David Lynch O'Leary Stone Kanturk
2. Stephen McGrath Fermoy Cycling Club
3. Jason Travers Dungarvan CC
Photo Credits Sean Rowe & Michael Buckley
The next event on the horizon is the spinathon which will take place on Saturday 21st December at Ross' Centra. Nigel Carroll is busy compiling his naughty and nice lists to work out the rota for the day. Be sure to drop in if passing though Watergrasshill on the day.
Club cycles will continue on Saturday and Sundays. Details will be posted on club Facebook page. New members are always welcome. On Sunday mornings at 9am, all levels of cyclists are catered for, with the group split into 3 levels. New members are very welcome to turn up and cycle provided they have a racing bike, a helmet, and are over 18. For further information, check out our club Facebook page or contact us by email info@overthehillcc.com.
