West Coast Wheelers Open Race 2011

West Clare and Black Rose Racing take top honours in the West Coast Wheelers Open Race.

The racing season kicked off in style in Galway with the West Coast Wheelers Open Race in Loughrea. There was a great turnout with over a hundred and twenty riders taking part and plenty of supporters along the route to cheer on the riders taking part.

West Clare CC took the honors in the A1 & A2 race sponsored by Nigel's Cycles, Galway, with Jarleth Hassett and Mike Storan taking first and second place. Eoghan Clifford, Galway Bay CC attacked continuously from the start, making a break with David Brennan, Castlebar CC after just 8 km. He took the KOH title but was joined by a group 8 riders with 10 km to go. The race ended in a sprint finish with a group of five riders with Simon Coughlan, Donamon CC leading the chasing group to take 6th place.

In the A3 and A4 Race, sponsored by Tri Bikes (Loughrea), Kamil Pasek, Black Rose Racing, took the top prize, pipping Galway Bay's Derek Joyce. Nigel Forde from Galway Bay CC, took 3rd place in a sprint finish which also featured local riders Ollie Fagan and Gearoid Hynes of West Coast Wheelers. The A4 riders in the race got a 2 minute head start over the A3 riders. Much to the surprise of the spectators, the A4 riders managed to hold their lead for the entirety of the race. Several A3 riders did manage to bridge the gap, with Mike Ryder, Galway Bay CC, looking particularly strong while making it across to the leading group. Ryder was later joined by Nigel Forde and Kamil Pasek. Pasek and Joyce were well ahead of the rest of the group in the final sprint, with Joyce losing out by half a wheel. It was a great success for Galway-based clubs, with Black Rose Racing, Galway Bay CC and West Coast Wheelers all present in the top placings.

A1 & A2 (Sponsored by Nigel's Cycles, Galway):

1st: Jarlath Hassett - West Clare CC
2nd: Mike Storan - West Clare CC
3rd: David Brennan - Castlebar CC
4th: John Murray - Western Lakes CC
5th: Eoghan Clifford - Galway Bay CC
6th: Simon Coughlan - Donamon CC

King of the Hill: Eoghan Clifford, Galway Bay CC. (Sponsored by West Side Cycles, Galway)

A3 & A4 (Sponsored by Tri Bikes, Loughrea):

1st: Kamil Pasek, Black Rose Racing
2nd:Derek Joyce, Galway Bay CC
3rd: Nigel Forde, Galway Bay CC
4th: Eamon Station, Westport
5th: Gearóid Hynes, West Coast Wheelers
6th: Robert Hawes, Burren CC

King of the Hill: Chris Kelly. (Sponsored by West Side Cycles, Galway)

The West is awake and all is set for the West Coast Wheelers Open Race on February 27th in Galway.

The Road Racing season rolls out the last weekend of this month and this year the West Coast Wheelers are first from the blocks in Connacht, Sunday 27th at 12 noon will see proceedings begin from The Temperance Hall in Loughrea.

The race will feature a 90 km circuit for A1& A2 riders the perfect opportunity to see who has thawed out best after the big winter freeze, the A1/A2 race is sponsored by Nigel's Cycles (Galway). 60kms of racing will set the A3/A4 riders apart, sponsored by Tri Bikes (Loughrea). The race will also feature a KOH competition for both events, sponsored by West Side Cycles (Galway).

Sign on begins at 10:00am in the Temperance Hall, Loughrea. The race will roll-out from Loughrea at 12 noon and racing will start from Kilchrest at 12:15 pm.

When asked about the choice of location and route for the race Brian O Donnell said "Alot of work has gone in over the winter months to set a safe yet challenging circuit, so all that is needed now is that the race is keenly supported by riders from around the country."

Brian was also strong to emphasise that "The opening of the Dublin/Galway motorway has meant that places like Loughrea are now available to race in whereas before they suffered from huge traffic flow, this also means that driving distance from all parts of the country is greatly reduced."

For those that haven't recieved their racing licences yet, day licences are available on the day when signing on. We look forward to hosting this race and hope for great racing on the day.

Loughrea's location, just off the new motorway, is sure to attract a large turnout. For more information about the Race please visit www.westcoastwheelers.com or contact Brian O'Donnell on 087 4172229.