Invacare Paracycling TT News

Connacht Para Cycling 2day Camp

Day 1

All roads lead to Ballaghaderreen on Saturday 1^st March where the INVACARE Para Cycling National Time Trial League 2day event kicked off. Again this year the music blared at the sign in desks at Ballaghaderreen GAA clubhouse welcoming riders that travelled from the four corners of Ireland to participate. A “come & try” event for newcomers sponsored by Pat Towey TOPAZ got things under way outside, while inside riders warmed up on their turbo trainers in the Clubhouse for the Time Trial.

It was down to business at 1pm with the first rider out on what proves to be a slow tough course. Overall results using the UCI factored timing systems saw Waterford Tandem pairing of Damien Vereker & Martin Kirwin take 3^rd overall, with Ballaghaderreen C4 rider Jerry Towey taking 2^nd and Dublin’s C5 rider

Cathal Miller taking top spot.

Immediately afterwards our new development team squad coach Cathal Miller headed up a “training ride” then after showers and some refreshments, the team were assembled for a workshop on nutrition presented by Mary Finn Nutritionist of Paralympics Ireland which was held in Kilmovee Community Centre with an attendance of twenty plus riders.

Day 2

It was off to Roscommon Town for an early start Sunday Morning in wet conditions for a Criterium race as part of the Ronan McCormack Ros-active weekend.

New rider Owen Scollard on a trike, with Damien Verekers piloted by Martin Kirwin on a tandem showed serious bike handling skills on a very technical 900M course in wet conditions. Current national handbike champion Paul O’ Flaherty had overnight sickness and was forced to withdraw just before the race.

Wexford’s Seamus Wall held on for a 2^nd place finish with Declan Slevin making it two in a row after being fastest handbike in the TT the previous day. The solo bikes took to the streets for twenty minutes racing and completed their five laps.

After Banbridge CC rider Chris Burns suffered a mechanical issue they regrouped to get him back in racing, kicked off with 1min 29 second lap. Cathal Miller & Jerry Towey got away from the group as things got strung out but Millers bike handling skills and sheer voracity opened a 15 second gap that leg amputee Towey was never going to close.

It was back to The Quad centre to change and refresh before meeting up in the CBS School for some hot food and well needed refreshments. Minister Michael Ring was on hand afterwards for presentation of the 2013 INVACARE League jerseys & a presentation of a bouquet of flowers to Jackie McCormack from the Para Cyclists for making the criterium event possible.