Already 114 riders have participated in this year’s Mayo Cycling League with youth, ladies, club, junior and senior racers in the mix. Karl Benson of Castlebar took his second win of the league last Wednesday night in Swinford to take the leader’s yellow jersey out-sprinting the bunch on the drag to the finish. With the notable absence of the yellow jersey and the fact that Western Lakes was sending a racing team to Ras Dhun Na Gall the pressure was on the other contenders to place and try to take something from the race.
The 50k lumpy route started in Swinford heading for Ballyvarry, on to Balla via the Prison Road, left before Balla into Kiltimagh, and right after Kiltimagh back to Swinford, finishing on the N5. In the shake-up Castlebar's local knowledge managed to secure five top 10 spots. Cunga also performed well with Jarlath Togher second and Gary Collins fifth. David Brody completed the podium taking third. In the team classification Castlebar are now 300 points clear of Westport Covey Wheelers who are in second with 486 points, just ahead of Western Lakes on 468 points.
Westport duo of Noreen O'Toole and Siobhan O’Malley finished in first and second place respectively and hold the same positions at the top of the ladies’ league table. Round six of the league will take place next Wednesday June 12 in Ballyhaunis.
Calling all cyclists in Mayo and beyond
Castlebar Cycling Club is delighted to announce the first annual Explore Mayo Cycle which will be held on Saturday June 29 in Castlebar. This leisure event offers participants the choice of three routes (50km/90km/170km ) to suit all abilities and this year explores the remote and beautiful north Mayo countryside. The 50km route is perfect for the cycling novice, the 90km challenge route for the leisure cyclist, and the 170km coastal route for the more serious cyclist. All three routes start and finish in Castlebar with food stops along the route to keep the energy levels up.
The 50km route goes from Castlebar to Glenhest to Boffeenaun to Pontoon and back to Castlebar. The 90km route goes from Castlebar to Glenhest to Bellacorrick to Crossmolina to Pontoon and back to Castlebar, while the 170km trek will go from Castlebar to Glenhest to Bangor Erris to Ballycastle to Ballina to Crossmolina to Pontoon and home to Castlebar. The on-line entry fee for this event is €20 (50km ) and €25 (90km/170km ). On-line entries are limited to 250 participants so enter now at www.castlebarcyclingclub.org Limited late registration will be available on the day for €30/€35. Registration will take place in the De La Salle Hall, Newport Road, Castlebar, from 8am to 9am where parking and changing/shower facilities will be available for participants. The Apres Cycle gathering will take place in Mulroys Pub after the event so make sure to join in for some free food. Explore www.castlebarcyclingclub.org for more registration info.
