The 2024 Killowen Contracts LTD “Tour of the Mournes” of Sunday 5th May (Part 1) I maybe have witnessed at least a dozen Tour of the Mournes, but this year’s must be my favourite on, especially the A1-A2 with his 2 climbs of the Spelga Dam, and 110 hard hitting kms, which exploded very early, when 10 men got away, chased by 3, and a very strong winning break was established, this again splitted up in several pieces, with Gareth O’Neill getting the better of ex Italian U23 pro & European Gran Fondo Champ Matteo Cigala (Dan Morrissey – Primór by Pissei) in second, and in form Curtis Neill in 3rd, who thrives when the road goes up!!
A1/A2 Top (top 14)
1st. Gareth O’Neill Athlete Nutrition HD
2nd. Matteo Cigala Dan Morrissey-Primor by Pissei
3rd. Curtis Neil Lyon Sprint Evolution FR (U23)
4th. George Peden PB Performance
5th. Darnell Moore Team Caldwell CC
6th. Luke Smith Moynalty CC
7th. John Buller Banbridge CC
8th. Lindsay Watson Powerhouse Sport
9th. Liam Crowley UCD
10th. Cameron Henry Inspired Cycling (First Junior A2)
11th. Killian O’Brien Veleka Team (2nd Junior A2)
12th. Travis Harkness Spellman Dublin Port (U23)
13th. Jack Conroy Bray Wheelers (U23)
14th. Nathan Mullan VeloCafeMagasin CC
In the A3-Women-A4 combined race, the star of the show Toby Sweetman (VC Glendale Youth Academy) showed his intensions from km 1, up front all race, and destroyed the sizeable bunch on the climb to the Spelga Dam…his mum ecstatic at the finish line, his dad Craig not able to be there, due to recovery from some serious injuries during a race last month, but on the better hand, which pleases us all!! just one of this magic days we witnessed today.
A3/A4 Top Ten + Women’s results + Team winners
1st. Toby Sweetman VC Glendale Youth Academy (Junior A3)
2nd. Chris Babb Dromore CC
3rd. Tony McNally McNally Swords
4th. Chris Richardson Killinchy CC
5th. Niall Black Phoenix CC
6th. Niall Brown Drogheda Wheelers
7th. Richardo Machado Drogheda Wheelers
8th. Sean McCullagh Island Wheelers
9th. Conor Kelly Team Caldwell Cycles (JNR A3)
10th. Declan McEntee Emyvale CC
1st. Women Marine Lenehan Dan Morrissey (above)
2nd. Women Aine Doherty VC Glendale Youth Academy
3rd. Elena Wallace Harps CC (JNR)
4th. Erin Creighton Mc Convey Cycles (U23)
5th. Darcey Harkness VC Glendale Youth Academy (U23) (Photo below)
Team Prize VC Glendale Youth Academy (Toby Sweetman, Aine Doherty, and Darcey Harkness)
The added accredited motor marshals working as a unit, made it so safe, helped by the dozens of static accredited marshals at each crossing or corner, the lead cars, and so many more volunteers to mention. Not forgetting the tea ladies, the main sponsor Killowen Contracts LTD, and the Mc Kinley’s family at the captains wheel…I have been told this was the 67th edition, well you can not be more experienced to run such great event in the beautiful surroundings of the Mourne Mountains in C0-Down, regards Dany
Here some selected photos from us…for more just go to www.facebook/danyblondeel
Some off-road men spotted, this is Marcus Cromie back garden we raced on!!
