Another successful weekend for UCD

More success came to UCD campus this weekend with great performances on both Saturday and Sunday on the bike. On the Track bike on Saturday Anto got a 3rd place and a 4th place in the Sneem Hotel International Track Grand Prix in Eamonn Ceannt Stadium, Sundrive Road. Up against Irelands best, Anto also had to face foreign riders.
As always, these are long days and Anto was there from 1030 am-7pm but it paid off with some good results and his preparation is going well for the Track Nationals coming up soon.


On Sunday Anto, Niall, Fiachra and Ciaran were in action again in the Mark Hammond Memorial race in Carlow run over a tough 30km circuit 4 times. The wind seemed to always be facing the riders and it the race blew apart on the second lap with Anto being in a strong chase group behind the 3 leaders and a bunch of only 10 riders chasing behind them. The bunch swelled as riders got dropped from the fast moving chase group and eventually Anto was swallowed by the group having done so much work to get the chasing group moving.

Ciaran rode strong on the front on the last time up the long drag and with another rider opened up a gap and did a "2 up" to the finish line where Ciaran outsprinted the strong Navan rider for 11th overall and first A2 which resulted in him being awarded the Paddy Coleman memorial cup. UCD RAS rider Colm Cassidy continued his strong form getting 5th overall in the race and Anto was unlucky not to be contesting the win and surely would have been fresher if he hadnt performed so well the day before.

Niall rode very solidly in the A3 race and although he missed an early break he was in a chase group that was caught back. He again went away but was caught 1km from the finish which would have gotten him a top 10 prize.

The former skipper was still on hand to give Ciaran his cup for first A2 in the race and the team will once again be well represented with 8 riders wearing the UCD colours this weekend in Mullingar.

On the Leisure side of things the UCD team spinning instructor and Leisure cyclist Maria Bienkowska completed the annual Ring of Kerry 180km cycle in a time of 7h 20mins. A great feat for someone who just bought their first racing bike 2 weeks ago. Much will be expected of her next year!