Clare Gravel SeriesHosted by West Clare Cycling Club4 rounds taking place on the following datesDates:12/10/24 10.30am approx 40km COMPLETED27/10/24 10.30am approx 40km Up NEXT09/11/24 10.30am approx 40km24/11/24 10.30am approx 40kmLocation kilrush/Kilkee West ClareThe rise of gravel and the appeal of gravel events is taking hold in County Clare. The cross over from the Cx events and the variety of terrain in the Wild Atlantic West Clare has led to the creation of the Clare Gravel league.Westclare cc and their merry band of volunteers put tremendous efforts in for the first round which took place on Saturday last around the tracks of Moyasta in West Clare. 80% off Road with a variety of gravel, mud, stone & bog that have only seen cattle or sheep played host to approximately 50 riders of all abilities.The event started fast with Robert Reidy of Kildare Newbridge launching manic attacks after the lead Quad bike, the first 90 left hander was elbows out, gunslingers at the showdown before Ronan Costello, MarkShannon and the Burren CC team starting to pack the front group with nobody wanting to miss the final seats at the poker table.James Hanrahan of West Clare was bringing out all his old MTB skills on the gravel & bog sections, the class was evident alongside the calmness of Mark Shannon. Another rider shining was Brian Nolan, the power house from NCW cc was floating across the hard sections.Greenmount Cycling Club brought a number of riders back to Clare with Breslin, Davis and Walsh if this was cross country they surely would have a big hand to play in the team prizes.The ladies event saw a big first turn out and WestClare cc riders Deirdre Hynes and Margie O Connor borrowing bikes to give it a try and like ducks to water they powered to brilliant results Margie taking a great first round victory over Deirdre with Dee O Flaherty taking a very close 3rd spot.In the mens action, Yan Tymsbal was putting in moves, Nolan playing catch up after helping another rider out of the dirt, O Donovon and Eoin Hogan putting club rivalries to one side as they teamed up to stay away from the chasing groups.The wearing down process over the 2 x 22km lap course eventually saw a leading group form of Hanrahan & Tymsbal . How were the winter legs ? Would the war of attrition savage them or could they bring home the points ?Along the fast crosswind section Yan & Hanrahan would get a gap. Club Jerseys unrecognisable in these conditions, led the two young guns pulling all sorts of Junior B hurling moves on each other in an effort to stay clear or simply just searching for the cleanest lines. John Maloney BRT was joined by Mark Shannon BRT and the fast becoming man of Limerick gravel Daniel Breslin Greenmount cc forming the next pose. Eventually they would again reel in the two pups with a break of 5 riders starting the 2nd lap together.The 4 lads would go clear leaving Maloney in no mans land but 4 others were coming across to him.Brian Nolan went straight through that group and set off after the break. Rob Reidy, Walsh, Costello et al trying in vain to stick with Nolan but he didnt want passengers. A mistake by Reidy , Keith and Costello on a left hander into the 4th section on lap 2 would cost them. Maloney took his opportunity to launch away! He continued trying to bridge to Nolan while the lads regrouped and chased a fleeing Maloney, meanwhile the tactician Breslin would float through the wheels to steel the win ahead of Mark Shannon and an impressive Hanrahan. Young Yan Clares very impressive road champion impressing everyone again!Top Ten & current league standings1. Daniel Bresnan Gmnt cc2. Mark Shannon BRT3. James Hanrahan Wccc4. Yan Tymsbal Wccc5. Brian Nolan NCW cc6. John Maloney BRT7. Robert Reidy KdNb cc8. Kieth walsh Gmnt CC9. Eoin Hogan BRT10. Padraigh Donovon WcccLadies & current league standings1. Margie O connor Wccc2. Deirdre Hynes wcc3. Dee O Flaherty4. 4th tbc5. Maebdh O NeillEvery section was hard as the pressure was on , no off the gas. The Dutch and Belgiums would love this craic, we need Shannon Airport to offer them a cheap flight to the Atlantic Way gravel series imagine a Vanderpol ripping up these roads Board Failte approved of course !From all at West Clare cycling club nothing is possible without super support !There has been great strides made in the last number of seasons with the coming together of all Clare clubs in organising the weekly league events and again now for this Clare Gravel Series. As always nothing is possible without the help of a great team of marshals & volunteers. They made sure for a smooth running event alongside the great local community. The chats and tale telling in the car park after alongside the sharing of cake, cola and all sorts leads us back to WestClare for round 2 on Sunday the 27th of October entry is via Event-master and details can be found on Cycling Irelands websiteA huge thank you to allYours in sportPatrick Eugene Teeling (Pet for short)The post Clare Gravel Series 2024 Round 1 appeared first on IrishCyclingNews.com | Irish Cycling News | IrishCycling.