2016 Youth League wrap

The air around Corkagh Park cycling track in West Dublin has rung with cries of exertions and joy over the last six weeks as cyclists aged from 8 to 16 have raced against each other and the clock each Monday evening.

The air around Corkagh Park cycling track in West Dublin has rung with cries of exertions and joy over the last six weeks as cyclists aged from 8 to 16 have raced against each other and the clock each Monday evening. The multi week event is the first of its kind exclusively for youths at the Mick Lawless from South Dublin Cycling Club inspired track. It brought together boys and girls from the many cycling clubs in the surrounding Dublin & Meath area. We had representatives from:

• Host club Orwell Wheelers CC

• Acorn CC

• Inspiration CC

• Usher IRC

• Bray Wheelers CC

• Navan RC

• Sundrive Track Club

• Lucan CRC

• And not forgetting the Unattached riders as well.

Each evening the young competitors, sorted into age groups (U10, U12, U14 and U16) took part in 3 events , which usually included one long handicapped race, one skills session and one of a Time Trial, a team race or a combined Team Time Trial.

Among the 47 cyclists who took part at least once, were experienced open racers, boys and girls starting racing this year and some who will be excellent cyclists in years to come.

Each week had some very closely contested races with the handicap affording all ages and experience an opportunity to have a chance of victory , while the TTs allowed riders to measure improvement over the 6 weeks. There were winners and losers each race and points accumulated to give us overall standings in each age category.

The league, the brainchild of Orwell’s Dave McLoughlin, is intended to provide a regular session for any youth who wants to compete over the summer. All they need to know is that sign on is from 18.30 to 18.50 each Monday evening and that racing commences at 19:00. Depending on numbers and weather the events finish up around 20:30 to 21:00 with the younger ones able to slip away earlier to keep them fresh for school the next day.

From an organisational point of view the safe surrounds of Corkagh Park mean that Marshalling obligations are kept to a minimum and Dave’s clubmates Jen Sheridan , Stephen Ryan and obliging parents meant cyclists could participate in a very safe and welcoming environment.

The first series of races finished with Prize night on June 6th and Series 2 will kick off on Monday June 27th. New competitors are welcome and encouraged to come along and try it out. Entry fee for one night’s racing is €2. 

After six weeks the winners in each age group were… (full results available shortly, R5 results available here)