The cycling season has only just started in Mayo and already Western Lakes CC cyclists have got results in the four races to date.
The Mayo league got the cycling season underway on Sunday March 14 with a 75k handicap race in Ballinrobe. A big field signed on, with 66 riders taking to the start line, split into four groups based on ability, with the strongest riders having to overcome a handicap of 16 minutes. In the sprint to the line outside the Racecourse Ballinrobe, Joe Marrey of Western Lakes CC won the bunch gallop, taking his first win of the season in fine style, Gerhard Hack also of Western Lakes was fifth. The club had 13 cyclists taking part, showing how strong the club has become as a racing club.
This was followed up in Westport for Rás Mayo a few days later. Again a handicap separated the 75 rider field which was split into three groups, but the handicap didn’t stop Padraig Marrey from squeezing into the prizes with a good sixth place.
Last weekend Eire Óg CC Sligo promoted two races; in the Markicivez Cup held over 100k, Padraig Marrey showed fine form to be part of the main break all day and finished in fourth place in the sprint to the line. In the A4 cat race Brendan Scullion showed he has potential as a senior racer with a fine third place, against much more experienced opposition.
The Mooney Cup was run over 80k and the Western Lakes CC team of Joe Marrey, Willy Connolly, John Murphy, and Gerhard Hack showed their strength, covering most of the moves. In the end the race ended up in a bunch sprint with Gerhard Hack crossing the line in a fine third place.
