The Carn Classic 2019 produced some classy winners today in Maghera and commissaires getting tuff on safety in the bunch!

Some big names in cycling gathered together in Maghera today for the popular Carn Wheelers Classic 2019. The sign on was held in the Link Community Center a spit away from the starting line just outside the South Derry town for the 4 races on the menu of the day. The A2’s send away first with a few minutes edge on the A1’s who consisted of some big names in our beloved sport such as Ronan Mc Laughlin ex-pro now with Dan Morrissey-MIG-Pactimo, Christopher Mc Glinchey from the Vitus Pro P/B brothers UK team, Ryan Reilly (Dan Morrissey) now racing back in Ireland after a stint of racing in France the last few years, this to suit his studies and revelation of the year Gareth O’Neill from Newry Wheelers to mention a few. The handicap was put right in the 3rd. lap and attack after attack who came to nothing till the last lap when with 10 miles to go Gareth powered to the front and distance himself from his rivals, and time trialled to the finish line with just enough distance made to succeed. Christopher took second and Ryan 3th (Results below photo) Very happy to see Gareth winning today as it could not have gone to a better man. Gareth had entered the pool selection of the Belgian project thinking he was still an Under 23 rider but find out he became a senior elite when the season started and informed me immediately, this to not take a place away from the eligible ones when it comes to selection in June…such honesty I admire in a rider…karma does exist and a win as reward. Here below the results and some photos I took today. Finally thanking the Carn Wheelers and his members for the hospitality we all received with a feast of food after in the Link Community Center. Also a big thank you to the club for the donation received towards our bursary fund and let me promote my project in full. Carn Wheelers know their onions when it comes to safety as former promoters of the Tour of Ulster and the Irish Junior and A3 Champs and nothing was left to chance to make sure the riders had a safe passage through some small towns and country roads but in the end the riders have a responsibility to, many do I have to say but despite many warnings in the past, somehow the message of staying safe left of the white line at the rolling roads goes missing for a few…some riders have been taken out the A3 race by the comms after warnings at the starting line…maybe harsh in some riders views but it was a necessary move in my opinion as it could save lives (rant over)