Wheelers’ TT League wraps up

The third and final round of the Breffni Wheelers’ Open TT League took place last week, Tuesday, August 18.

Riders assembled at Cavan Equestrian Centre and cycled out to the M3 bypass, just after the Butlersbridge turn off where there were two separate routes to compete in - 16km and another longer 40km.

Rounds 1 and 2 had previously taken place on August 4 and 11, and the event was organised and coordinated with Covid-19 health guidelines adhered to at all times.

In total 70 riders (59 Male/ 11 Female) took part in the TT league, with 22 different cycling clubs represented, and participants attending from Dublin, Fermanagh, Kildare, Kilkenny, Leitrim, Longford, Meath, Monaghan, Sligo, Wicklow and Cavan.

Across the three weeks of races, three new course records were broken - twice in the Male category by Greg Swinand travelling the 16km course in just 19:52, and the 40km route in 50:51; Female 40km 01:04:50 Cathriona O’Brien.

The event concluded with Ross Hamilton of Quanta Scott Orwell Wheelers topping the ‘Overall’ podium with 39.5 points, followed by Michael Reilly, Unattached Ulster 35.5; and Greg Swinand Team Dan Morrissey 30. Cathriona O’Brien of Breffni Wheelers with 29 points topped the TT Female category, followed by Joanne Reilly, Breffni Wheelers 18.5; and Catherine Mahony, UCD Cycling Club 17.

The Road Bike Male was won by Brian McNally, Quanta Scott Orwell Wheelers 41; Brian Gaffney, Unattached Ulster 28.5; Nigel Foster, Lakeland Cycling Club 27.5; while the Road Bike Female was won by Ellen Vitting, Breffni Wheelers 22; Clodagh Allen, Clonard RC 14.5; and Cartharch McCarthy 8.5.

A spokesperson for the Breffni Wheelers thanked Alan Traynor, sponsor of the event, Cavan Civil Defence for their support, as well as Cavan County Council, Cavan Equestrian Centre, and Fr Kevin Kevin (Cullies graveyard) for use of car park facilities.

“The league proved to be incredibly successful,” said Darren Lynch, Club PRO. “The club went to great lengths to ensure the event met current Covid 19 health guidelines at all times. To have 70 competitors from 22 different clubs show up and race amidst all this is fantastic!

“There’s a huge interest in competition this summer, with riders in serious condition from months of turbo training. They’re all dying to get out and pump out the watts. This was obvious as three course records were broken over the course of the event.”

He added: “The event attracted a high standard of competition. Of note, last years World TT Champion (50-54 age category) Greg Swinand (Team Dan Morrissey). Who now holds both the 16km and 40km TT course records. A marked man!”