Sean McKenna pushing the break. Photo by Karen Edwards.
OVER 200 riders signed up on Sunday for the annual Lacey Cup which was won by Sean McKenna of the Aquablue team.
The event was hosted by Tralee Manor West Bicycle Club and set off from Manor West Hotel, taking in Camp, Annascaul, Castlemaine, finishing on the Killorglin road coming back into Tralee.
Torrential rain and strong winds overnight and up until the race commenced, were a major concern but thankfully the rain eased off before the race commenced.
After the roll-out from, Manor West Hotel, the A3 riders were first off from George Poff’s garage on the Dingle Road. They wasted no time with plenty of attacks and eventually a four man break was clear at the foot of Gleann na nGealt.
Sean McKenna riding for his new team Aquablue attacked hard from the A1 group overhauling the A2’s and eventually catching Simon Tuomey & Robert O’Leary of Giant Cork and Darragh O’Mahony, O’Leary Stone/ Kanturk CC on the first climb.
This was to be the break of the day. Sean Lacey and Paidi O’Brien launched an attack with 800mm to the prime but were reeled back in. Sean McKenna took the prime, with Darragh second and Simon third.
The four man breakaway worked very well all day but were only managing a slender 1-2 minute gap throughout the race as attacks were frequent from the chasing groups.
As they passed Inch beach they were maintaining a one minute gap, but the pace took its toll on Robert O’Leary and it was down to a three remaining riders. Denis Dunworth was next to attack but Cathal Moynihan was doing an excellent job in marking the attacks as he had a team mate in the break.
A strong tailwind led to a very fast pace from Inch to Castlemaine where the riders turned left and faced the Sliabh Mish climb. Simon Tuomey and Sean McKenna went clear at this point with Darragh loosing contact.
Simon took the Teddy Griffin prime and it was going to be down to a two man sprint then. Sean McKenna took the victory by a couple of seconds from Simon. A gallant effort from Darragh O’Mahony earned him a well deserved third place.
Killarney man John Brosnan, Moda Kingdom Endurance was next rider to finish after putting in a ferocious attack on the last climb. Paidi O’Brien was 5th leading in the main bunch. In this group also was Siobhan Horgan who rode very strongly and her break from the bike was not evident on todays display where she was the first female rider home.
Photos and standings below…
Sean Lacey on the attack up Gleann na nGealt. Photo by Karen Edwards.
The Peleton making its way towards Inch. Photo by Karen Edwards.
A1/ A2/ A3 Race
1. Sean McKenna, Aquablue
2. Simon Toumey, Giant Cork.
3. Daragh O’Mahony, O’Leary Stone, Kanturk CC
4. Jon Brosnan, Moda Kingdom Endurance
5. Paidi O’Brien, Osborne Meats/ The Edge Sports
6. Robin Kelly, Waterford Racing Club
7. Stephen Murray, Strata Three Velo
8. Conor Henebery, Iverk Produce/ Carrick Wheelers
9. Mark O’Callaghan, Limerick CC
10. Sean Yvelverton, Mego
11. Anthony Walsh, Aquablue
12. Shane Scully, Nenagh CC
First Lady
1. Siobhan Horgan, Aquablue
A4 Race
1. Conor Kissane, Killarney CC
2. Michael Healy, iBike
3. Patrick Carmody, Coachford CC
4. Mike Brown, Nenagh CC
5. Shane Fuller, Midleton
6. Shane Courtney, DSCC
Primes
Gleann NaGealt – A1/ A2/ A3 Race
1. Sean McKenna, Aquablue
2. Daragh O’Mahony, O’Leary Stone/ Kanturk CC
3. Simon Toumey, Giant Cork
Gleann NaGealt – A4 Race
1. Tom Brendan O’Connor, Tralee Chain Gang CC
Gleann NaGealt – Jackie O’Connor Trophy
1. Oran Pierse, Tralee Manor West BC
Sliabh Mish
1. Simon Toumey, Giant Cork
