By Paddy Kelly,
Bray Wheelers PRO

Bray Wheelers competed in both Junior and Senior events over the Bank Holiday Weekend. Urban Monks the only underage Bray rider taking part this year joined a strong line-up of international and domestic underage riders lined for the opening stage of the Kerry Youth Tour in Killorglin. Over 200 riders started the event, with teams from Ireland, the UK, Belgium, the Netherlands and South Africa all taking part. Urban will be participating as a quest with a Dublin based club aspiring to the former glories of fellow Bray Juniors who enjoyed great success in years gone by. Many of Brays accomplished Senior members such as Junior Tour stage winners Michael o'Donnell and Aidan Duff have commented on the event as offering a great introduction to competitive cycling and should stand to Urban if past trends are to continue.

In the FPM Newry Three Day Brays hopes of a stage win were dashed with Newrys strong team of fifteen riders controlling the peleton bringing back Brays repeated attacks from Anthony Crean and Declan Kinch who earned bonus primes but couldnt hold off the locals. The highlight of the event for the Bray the was the prestigous King of the Mountains points Jersey won on the last stage by Robert Wyse a difficult jersey to win considering the cruelling terrain of the seventy five mile course. Throughout the series of ascents Robery was inspired by 2002 KOH winner Derek Cunningham who had given Robert the winning formula whilst travelling to a seperate event.

FPM Newry Three Day Details
Stage 1 : 48 miles , Bray Wheelers 1st in Team Classification for this stage
Stage 2 : 4.5mile timetrial (all Bray riders averaged over 30mph ) Stage 3 : 62 miles, Paddy Kelly 6th, Declan Kinch 2nd in Hot Spot Sprint, Rob won KOH Anthony Crean in 20 mile break with one other rider , Bray Wheelers 2nd in Team Classification for this stage.
Stage 4 : 75 miles Declan Crean and Micko brought back all early breaks to keep Rob in contention for the KOH jersey, Paddy Kelly made the first break ( lasted for 30 miles ) Rob Wyse won the last two KOH climbs earning him the KOH Jersey. Declan, Anthony, Dennis, Paddy & Rob, made the final split over the last Hors. Cat. climb of Reeds Hall, to finish 2min. ahead of the main field. Bray Wheelers 1 st in Team Classification for stage 4.

All bray riders rode a very smart and aggressive race which saw them earn top twenty placings in all the stages. Thanks to Declan Crean and Mick O'Donnells hard work on stage four Rob took home the KOH jersey and the remaining Bray riders made the important split on the decisive stage. Many thanks to Deborah Byrne and Fiona Redmond from all the riders for their hard work and backup support over the weekend.

August News