Laragh Classic A4 race report supported by Fitz Cycles

46 riders took to the line for two and a half laps of a tough 62km circuit in what could best be described as blustery conditions. With the climb starting 2km after the start in Laragh splits were expected early on. Paul O’Reilly of Fixx Rouleurs was first to go clear on the climb followed by Thomas Duffy of Lucan. However by the top of the climb O’Reilly had dropped Duffy and had opened up a substantial gap on the rest of the bunch which had split on the climb with many riders losing contact.

The technical decent on narrow rough roads required good bike handling and the lone leader built on his lead throughout the first lap. Coming through Laragh and starting the climb for the second time O’Reilly had extended his lead to two minutes and took the ParcelZone KOH. Plenty of riders attempted to bridge across to O’Reilly with the attacks reducing the bunch on every lap but O’Reilly never flagged and maintained the gap right until the finish to take a superb win on a very tough day.

Ronan Kileen of Lucan cycling club  got clear from a whittled down bunch of about 16 riders with 1.5k to go and held on for 2nd place with Martin O’Conner South East Road Club taking 3rd place. Liam Howard BTC2 Boloco/BlackBay Bicycles took 4th ahead of Shane Dineen Blanch Wheelies in 5th and Michael Wall Swords Cycling Club in 6th place. John Paul Walsh of Carlow took 7th ahead of Brian Mc Nally Orwell wheelers in 8th