ON SATURDAY 136 riders faced the starter for the 70km Ras Finan at Clonard in Co Meath, and it was Skerries rider Stephen Halpin who secured a clear victory.

The race was promoted by Clonard Cycling Club and was held on an out-and-home circuit on a handicap basis. At the half-way stage, the entire race came together and with just 15km of racing remaining, a group of five riders forged ahead of the peleton. These five went on to fight out the finish, with Halpin stealing a march on Enda Connolly from the Garda CC, with Michael Brady from Westport CC third and Chris Reilly from Bohermeen CC fifth. Halpin (23), who now races with the English-based Metaltec Scott team, was delighted to score this early-season win. Then, on Sunday the action switched to Bohermeen for the 75th running of the Waller Cup races, promoted by Bohermeen CC. Here, once again, huge entries were the order of the day, with the small village of Bohermeen awash with colour. The Senior A1-A2 race was held over a distance of 70 miles and the flat circuit made way for fast and furious racing right from the drop of the flag. With three laps to go to the finish, a 15-man break broke clear which included many riders from the North East clubs, but as the riders crossed the line to the sound of the bell, indicating the start of the final lap, this leading group had now been whittled down to just five riders. Tim Regan (Dunboyne DID) proved strongest, while Craig Sweetman was Stamullen M Donnelly was fourth and teammate David Wherity eighth. In the Senior A3 race, held over five laps of the same circuit, once again many of the local riders were in the shake-up, with Paul Dargle from Stamullen M Donnelly finishing second Junior. Earlier in the day the opening event of the Youth racing season took place and in the Under 12 race Emmett Gorman from Stamullen M Donnelly RC finished in eighth place. Next weekend will see a packed itinerary for cyclists, with the St. Patrick's Day race at Dunboyne on Saturday at 11am. On Sunday the Newbridge Grand Prix will be held at Newbridge.