Rás Luimní Classic #1

No less than 150 riders signed on for the combined race at South Liberties GAA club on the outskirts of Limerick city last Sunday. Among them, one UCD rider: Niall Dwyer. His report follows:

The race consisted of four laps of a fast flat 23km circuit. After finishing poorly in Dundalk I was determined to ride well. The race stared at a frantic pace, early on I found myself toward the back of the bunch struggling for dear life. I realised if I didn't move up the bunch now my day was over. I was lucky enough to find a pace line behind the lead motorbike and move slowly up the bunch.

By the start of lap two a group of about ten or fifteen riders had gone clear. By lap three their lead had increased to over two minutes. It was a case of now or never for the main bunch, Martin O'Loughlin gathered his troops and the chase was on. The break must have split at some point resulting in the majority being caught before the start of the final lap. With only six riders managing to stay clear and 18 prizes on overall there was still something to fight for.

With about ten kilometres to go I began to work my way up to the front of the bunch. I was in unfamiliar territory but I liked it. With only three or four riders making any efforts at the front it was clear it was going to be a sprint for 7th place. I decided to make a go for it at the 3km sign. I attacked but my efforts were short lived and I was reeled in very quickly. One km to go I was completely cooked and watched as the heavies powered up for the sprint. Rolling in at the back of the bunch I was pleased with my days work but disappointed that my lack of experience had let me down. 'Til next week DES HANLON.

Niall can be seen putting the club on the map in the gallery of irishcycling.com.