Coveys attack Mullingar!

Another strong performance by Team Covey in Mullingar sees Keith O’Connell take 6th Overall in General Classification in the A4 race just 11secs back on overall winner Cathal O’Gorman-Dubin Wheelers, which had a starting field of 84 riders. Travelling to Mullingar for the A4 race was Tom Bourke, Patjoe O’Connell, John Carter, Pat Monaghan and Keith O’Connell. Danny Buckley was a last minute withdrawl due to illness.

The race included 2 road races and a 3k hill climb. Despite many breakaway attempts on the opening stage, a 72k road race, the race stayed together for an exciting uphill finish. However, during the stage we were hit with mixed fortunes. Firstly John Carter punctured and Pat Monaghan was side swiped due to greasy roads. Tom Bourke who was going well was involved in a crash only 300m from the line while Patjoe O’Connell finished an impressive 7th on the 1st Stage just outside Cycling Ireland points and a competition prize. Keith managed to finish 11th keeping him in contention on GC.

Stage 2, a 3.3k Hill Climb TT was to prove the deciding race with 46 riders on the same time after Stage 1, the competition was wide open. Keith managed to finish joint 5th which catapulted him into 5th on GC, only 11sec back. The other lads were all within 30sec of the race leader and still very much in contention.

Stage 3, a 51k road race saw a number of early attacks on the yellow jersey. John Carter and Tom Bourke streched out the race in an effort to split the bunch while Patjoe had a few attempts at breaking away. Tom Bourke also had a go inside the last 3k but was caught with 750m to go. John Carter gave Keith a lead out at the start of the same uphill finish but was also swallowed by the bunch just 200m from the line.

Meanwhile Ger Corcoran was the lone ranger in the A3 race. His first stage proved to be very tough having punctured after 15k he managed to Time Trial his way for 45k back onto the bunch and finished 30th Overall in the 105km event. On Stage 2 Ger managed an impressive 7th Overall in the 3.3km TT which also moved him into 7th on GC. On the final stage Ger managed to maintain his position finishing 16th on the Stage keeping his 7th place Overall in the GC.

Overall another fine performance by the Covies, we would also like to thank everyone from Lakeside Wheelers who ran a very professional event.