With the 2011 season beginning to wind down everyone in the club was looking forward to one last “hurrah” in Co. Mayo at the Ballinrobe 2 day with www.marreybikes.com . No one could have predicted the success the team had.

It didnt start in the best way with numerous drop outs and Ciaran forced off the bike with Injury. It turned out to be nearly the same team that worked so well together in Suir Valley the weekend before. WIth the handicap it would see Ross and Ian start with the A3s before Fiachra, Jason (out of his DS role for the day), Colm and Anto would follow. Ciaran was down in the DS/water carrying capacity and wished the lads good luck on the opening day with the tactic of the A1s sitting in and letting other chase down A3 and UCD favourite Ian and Ross.

Surprisingly the catch was made at the first climb but not before mountain goat Ross took the points. Straight away Colm made a solo break and Ciaran had an epic view of him from on top of Ras climb at Tawnaleen. The lone rider had a group of 8 chasing him with the peloton strung out further behind. They had already cover 2 Cat 2s and 3 cat 3s and this stage and the race finally split infront of Ciarans eyes with a group of about 12 getting away with UCD having 3 men in it. Olympian and ex National champion Dave O Loughlin rode across to Casso and the race was on. Sadly COlm knew he was on a slow puncture and had to change it 10km from the finish which cost him 24 seconds at end and also his second place by a tyres width. Anto got 6th on the stage and Ross 7th. A great performance by the team with playing slowly creepy monkey just a minute back.

The TT was the next morning which meant an early start and Fiachra looked very fast on the road. Ian crossed the line and wasnt happy with his time before the announcer said “we have a new leader from UCD”! This time as good enough to get him 4th on the stage beating many top testers and Anto came home in 5th but the great winner on the day was Casso who won the stage beating the legendary O’Loughlin and also took over the yellow jersey.

With the handicap the race started with UCD having Ross in virtual yellow and Casso starting 4 mins down in actual yellow. This meant an unusual standoff where the yellow jersey team didnt ride at the front and left the work to the others in the race. These tactics meant that Ross had a lead of 6min 30secs at the half way point with things looking doomed for Casso and Antos GC position but Ross not only looking at Yellow but also now guaranteed the polka dot mountains jersey after cleaning up 2 primes. It was clear though that UCD had a masterplan, orchastrated by Junior DS Ciaran with the Master Jason by his side. UCD got others riding and the chase down began. With 20km to go it was at 4:30 but some flat out riding by some of Irelands strongest roleurs meant that the announcer proclaimed “with 5km to go Colm Cassidy looks to be back in Yellow!”. Rosses bunch sprinted for the win and 30 seconds later the big guns came in with Casso, Anto, Ian, Fiachra and Ross securing a memorable weekend for the club in what was incredible team work. Colm and Anto had to sacrifice their current 1st and 3rd places so Ross could win the race and their rivals would be forced to work to protect their places on GC. It was the ultimate team play and something that was a pleasure to be part of with the team winning 13 prizes this weekend.

The team now works like a well drilled machine and has won team prizes in Ballinrobe, Mullingar and in the Leinster championships in recent weeks. Many thanks to all who worked so hard to make it possible and to Mil for helping with everything as always. Also a huge thanks to the organisers and Padraig Marrey who ran an excellent event and raised 2000euro for charity also.

Next stop is the Inter Varsitys proudly hosted by UCD Cycling and it will be a memorable occasion for the club. The event takes place on Saturday 13^th of August Batterstown, Co. Meath and it has been three years since the DCU team, headed up by Rim O’Regan, took the last intervarsity title.