The racing season kicked off in style in Galway with the West Coast Wheelers Open Race in Loughrea. There was a great turnout with over a hundred and twenty riders taking part and plenty of supporters along the route to cheer on the riders taking part.

West Clare CC took the honors in the A1 & A2 race sponsored by Nigel's Cycles, Galway, with Jarleth Hassett and Mike Storan taking first and second place. Eoghan Clifford, Galway Bay CC attacked continuously from the start, making a break with David Brennan, Castlebar CC after just 8 km. He took the KOH title but was joined by a group 8 riders with 10 km to go. The race ended in a sprint finish with a group of five riders with Simon Coughlan, Donamon CC leading the chasing group to take 6th place.

In the A3 and A4 Race, sponsored by Tri Bikes (Loughrea), Kamil Pasek, Black Rose Racing, took the top prize, pipping Galway Bay's Derek Joyce. Nigel Forde from Galway Bay CC, took 3rd place in a sprint finish which also featured local riders Ollie Fagan and Gearoid Hynes of West Coast Wheelers. The A4 riders in the race got a 2 minute head start over the A3 riders. Much to the surprise of the spectators, the A4 riders managed to hold their lead for the entirety of the race. Several A3 riders did manage to bridge the gap, with Mike Ryder, Galway Bay CC, looking particularly strong while making it across to the leading group. Ryder was later joined by Nigel Forde and Kamil Pasek. Pasek and Joyce were well ahead of the rest of the group in the final sprint, with Joyce losing out by half a wheel. It was a great success for Galway-based clubs, with Black Rose Racing, Galway Bay CC and West Coast Wheelers all present in the top placings.

Gallery - HERE

A1 & A2 (Sponsored by Nigel's Cycles, Galway):

1st: Jarlath Hassett - West Clare CC
2nd: Mike Storan - West Clare CC
3rd: David Brennan - Castlebar CC
4th: John Murray - Western Lakes CC
5th: Eoghan Clifford - Galway Bay CC
6th: Simon Coughlan - Donamon CC

King of the Hill: Eoghan Clifford, Galway Bay CC. (Sponsored by West Side Cycles, Galway)

A3 & A4 (Sponsored by Tri Bikes, Loughrea):

1st: Kamil Pasek, Black Rose Racing
2nd:Derek Joyce, Galway Bay CC
3rd: Nigel Forde, Galway Bay CC
4th: Eamon Station, Westport
5th: Gearóid Hynes, West Coast Wheelers
6th: Robert Hawes, Burren CC

King of the Hill: Chris Kelly. (Sponsored by West Side Cycles, Galway)