Wicklow Classic

Orwell Wheeler's Shine at Wicklow Classic

Orwell Wheeler's delivered one of the standout club performances at the inaugural Wicklow Classic, with riders featuring prominently across the day's racing and securing both a podium finish in the headline C1/C2 event and victory in the C3 race.

The demanding 100km course, promoted by St Tiernan's CC, combined repeated ascents of Hollywood Hill with a summit finish on the Wicklow Gap, ensuring only the strongest riders would be in contention by the finale.

In the C1/C2 race, Padraig Moran was at the heart of the action from an early stage. The Orwell rider joined a powerful four-man breakaway alongside Cyrus Monk, Ronan O'Connor and Daire Feeley on the first passage of Hollywood Hill.

The quartet quickly established a significant advantage and worked seamlessly together throughout the race. As the gap stretched to five minutes, it became increasingly clear that the winner would emerge from the leading group.

On the final ascent of the Wicklow Gap, repeated attacks from O'Connor tested the breakaway, but Moran remained composed and matched the strongest moves. In the sprint for the line, Monk took victory ahead of O'Connor, with Moran claiming an impressive third place after a day spent racing aggressively at the front.

Moran's efforts were further rewarded with the Hollywood Hill King of the Hill prize, underlining his climbing strength throughout the event.

Behind Moran's podium finish, Orwell also placed two riders inside the top ten, highlighting the club's strength throughout the field.

Padraig Moran – 3rd

Joe-Nathan Matar – 5th

Alexander Graham-Smythe – finisher

With Moran in the winning move and Matar securing a top-five result, Orwell were one of the most visible teams in the race from start to finish.

Gilsenan Takes C3 Victory

The success continued in the C3 race where Jason Gilsenan produced a superb ride to take victory.

Gilsenan emerged as the strongest rider in his category, securing Orwell's first win at the new event and adding the C3 King of the Hill prize to complete an outstanding day's racing.

Diarmuid Collins also delivered a strong performance, finishing fourth and ensuring Orwell had two riders inside the top four.

Thanks to St Tiernan's CC for a great day out!

Sean Rowe