The winners in the Cycling Ireland monthly awards for August have been announced. The recipients are Mark Dowling (male rider of the month), Máire Claffey (female rider of the month) and Brian Hayden (volunteer of the month).
The
winner of club of the month is Lakeside Wheelers Mullingar Cycling Club.
The
winners were nominated by Cycling Ireland members, with a selection
panel voting to decide the winner’s of each category.
The winner of the female rider of the month is Máire Claffey (UCD Cycling Club)
Máire was selected for winning the women's race at the Laragh Classic hosted by St.Tiernan's Cycling Club. The event was part of the National Series and finished at the top of the Wicklow Gap making it one of the hardest events on the calendar.
" I'm delighted to be picked for this award! The Laragh Classic was one of my best race memories of this year.
The Larragh classic is arguably one of the toughest races on
the Irish road racing calendar so it was really special to win it. I’m
delighted that everything came together for the win.
Riding up the Wicklow Gap from Laragh, the race tempo took off. Five of us went clear at the summit; Myself, Grace Young, Kat Smyth, Eileen Burns and Ellen McDermott. We all worked effectively to hold that tempo, to stay clear from the chasing riders. Coming into the final kilometre, I looked around and knew I had some very good climbers & finishers around me. So I decided to give it everything I had left in the tank; I kicked, full gas, and managed to pull out a good gap & kept riding solid to the finish.
On reflection how, I'm really proud of what I've achieved as
a whole this season. To be the top ranked CI Irish female rider this season
whilst juggling a job in the city centre, and a new business Beyond Baseline
Physiotherapy is something to be proud of.
There have been many highlights over the season, including the Laragh Classic. Coming away with 2 top 10 finishes in Ras na Mban's TT and Queeen stages - the cherry on top of my season!
This year I started a structured training programme with my coaches at HUPHUP Base2Race. Those guys been an integral part of my form this year: Enabling me to balance training efficiently and effectively, whilst also starting my new clinic Beyond Baseline Physiotherapy. It’s been a game changer!
It's a lot of juggling, and a lot of work. But I'm really happy, & rolling with it. I've got a great group of people in my corner. Makes all the difference.
I'm really motivated to build on all the learning of
this year, and see more improvement over the next season".
The male rider of the month is Mark Dowling (Un-Attached Leinster)
Mark has been selected as he won the John Beggs Memorial during August. The event was hosted by Banbridge Cycling Club and is a part of the National Road Series. Mark has had a consistent season including a very strong performance at the National Championships in Derry.
"I’m pleased to be nominated as rider of the month for August. I’ve had a consistent year despite racing very little compared to other years . Last August was mainly a training month for me as I had some foreign races planned but the Beggs has always been a race that eluded me . I was delighted to finally take it home as it’s one of the most sought after races on the home calendar."
The
club hosted one of the most important events of the year - The youth national road cycling championships. This is a huge event with youth riders travelling from all over the country for the event.
Club chairperson Henry Whitson commented "On behalf of Lakeside Wheelers I would like to thank all those that proposed and voted for our Club for the award of Cycling Ireland Club of the Month - August.
It was an honour for our Club to be chosen to host the Centra National Youth Championships 2019. It required major planning and implementation to crown thirty six National Champions in two days of racing, but to see so many youth riders compete against their peers with such enthusiasm and enjoyment made it all worthwhile. All riders were a credit to their families and Clubs, and I am sure we witnessed some of the future stars and stalwarts of Irish Cycling over that weekend.
Of course, none of this would have been possible without the
input of our Club Committee, members, sponsors and friends of the Club who consistently
turn out at our events and make things happen".
The winner of the volunteer of the month is Brian Hayden (St Tiernan's Cycling Club)
Brian was selected as he was the main organiser for the
Laragh Classic event which is part of the National Road Series. The event
finishes at the top of the Wicklow Gap making it one of the more difficult
events on the calendar.
"The event went great again this year. We try to improve and develop the Laragh Classic year on year for the participants and are very proud it is getting a reputation of a quality competitive race. But an event like this would not take place without the full support of our club, we also get great support from the locals, Garda and councils. With the Laragh Classic being asked to be part of the national road series it is a huge testament to the commitment and hard work of members across the club.
The club membership expanded again this year and we increased our number of female members which is very positive for us as a club".