Poppy crowned

Poppy crowned

11 September 2019

SHIMNA Wheelers Luke Roberts and Andrew Porter travelled down to Charleville in Co Cork at the weekend for the Charleville Two-Day race, which was a three-stage event.

On Saturday it was a 90km road race on a rolling circuit with a few short sharp climbs. 

Roberts finished with the main group, just 36 seconds down on the solo winner in the A2/3 race. In the A4, Porter suffered from cramp in the last 5km which resulted in him losing two minutes to the winner, but with a time trial and road race still to come anything could happen. 

The A4 time trial took place later on the Saturday evening with Porter putting in a brilliant time on the road bike. 

It put him 14th in the time trial which bumped him up a few places in the general classification. The A2/3 time trial was held on Sunday morning before the road race. 

Once again on the road bike, Roberts put in a solid ride to gain a few places in the overall standings. 

On Sunday afternoon it was time for the queen stage of the weekend held over 100km. The route took the riders up and over Ballyhoura Mountain twice with a few shorter climbs added in along the way. 

Roberts rode a fantastic race, climbing strong each lap, ended up finishing in a depleted peloton only minute behind the winner. Overall, this put Roberts 42nd after the three stages. In the A4 race, Porter finished 15th after completing the two laps of the tough circuit. 

In the overall standings this put in Porter in 21st position, which was a brilliant result in his first stage race with plenty more to come.

On Sunday Brian McLornan and Mickey Clarke made their way to Co Antrim for the Dunloy GP. 

In the A2/3 race, McLornan finished 11th on a challenging circuit, with the riders tackling the Millbrae Climb each lap. In the A4 race, Clarke got to the climb on the final lap and lost contact with the bunch at this stage. 

A tough day’s racing which will stand to both lads.

Thirteen hardy souls signed on for the annual Spelga Hill Climb on Sunday. In conditions that were not so favourable, with a head wind virtually from start to finish, there were some seriously fast times set. 

Overall winner was Nathan Mullan, from Dromara CC, followed in by Gareth O’Neill (Newry Wheelers). Rounding off the podium was junior rider Lee Harvey, from Glendale.

 The first youth rider was Dean Harvey, also from Glendale. The first Shimna rider prize went to Brian McLornan.

On Wednesday night, Poppy Hamilton was crowned U-10 Ulster Track Champion. On doing so, she set personal bests for two of her disciplines. A great finish to the track season for Poppy.