The first stage of the Invacare Para Cycling Time Trial Series kicked off in Ballaghaderreen in very blustery conditions on Saturday, March 9. However it was the spectators that were blown away at the standard of athlete and equipment that presented themselves at Ballaghaderreen GAA Clubhouse which was used as race HQ. A come and try event got under way prior to the event which saw nine youths and newcomers try hand cycling and tandem cycling, with Cathal Miller who represented Ireland in this year’s Olympic Games doing a sprocket rocket event. The Dublin based rider who got as high as fifth in the world championships was with the other competitors looking for gears on what proved a tough 16km TT route with a massive headwind from the turnaround point at Kilmovee. Twenty one raced the event with seven hand bikes, three tandems, and eight solo bikes from places as far away as Armagh, Tipperary, Dublin, and Cork.
Four Mayo riders were on show with Ballina hand cyclist Peter Gill, Covey wheelers hand cyclists Bartley Walsh, solo bike riders Tojo Lazzari from Castlebar CC and Jerry Towey of Ballaghaderreen CC. Fastest time on the day was tandem pairing of Dublin based barrister from Sligo Martin Gordon with his pilot, Blarney CC powerhouse Michael O’Mahony. Overall results were established based on a factored timing system. 1:Cathal Miller 24.45. 2: Martin Gordon and Michael O’Mahony 23.54. 3: Jerry Towey 25.50 (Times shown are actual times ).
