Masters Time Trial and Road National Championships Results
The 2024 Masters Time Trial and Road National Championships took place on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th of September. Hosted by Castlebar Cycling Club in Co. Mayo the championships attracted riders from around Ireland battling it out to come home with a coveted national champions jersey.
Time Trials
Racing began with the Time Trials on Saturday. Rain didn’t hamper spirits as riders tackled the 30km route. This year saw the addition of the Time Trial categories being split in five year age bands, however, national champions jerseys were still awarded based on the ten year age bands.
Beginning with the Open Masters 40-44 there was less than one minute separating the top three. Paul Kennedy won for Team Skyline – Cadence. Marcus Flavin was second for Dungarvan Cycling Club and Gary Cranston was third for AHC Racing.
In the Open Masters 45-49, Stuart McCaughey set the fastest time of the day, riding for Phoenix Cycling Club. Western Lakes Cycling Club’s Barry Holian was second and Rob Jennings riding for Lucan Cycling Club was third. The national champions jersey for the Open Masters 40-49 went to McCaughey.
Sligo Cycling Team’s Mel McShane won the Open Masters 50-54, with Noel Conway from Bray Wheelers and Philip Loughlin from Banbridge Cycling Club coming home in second and third.
In the Open Masters 55-59, Greg Swinard clocked the fastest time riding for Dan Morrissey – Primór by Pissei. Paul Noble was runner-up for Slaney Cycling Club and Paul Whyte completed the podium for Seven Springs Cycling Club.
Swinard was faster than McShane meaning he brought home the national champions jersey for the Open Masters 50-59.
An impressive time, with almost four minutes between him and his nearest rival saw John Madden win the Open Masters 60-64 category for Inspired Cycling. Alan Watson was second for Dromara Cycling Club and Eamon Byrd was third for Dublin Wheelers Cycling Club. Madden claimed the national champions jersey for the Open Masters 60-69.
In the Open Masters 65+ victory went to Colin McGready riding for Dromara Cycling Club. Jimmy Flynn and Carl Fullerton finished in second and third, riding for Cuchulainn Cycling Club and Donegal Bay Cycling Club.
In the Women’s Masters 40+ Aishling Barry took home the national champions jersey for Lucan Cycling Road Club. Karen Hull for Phoenix Cycling Club was second and Diane Behan for Dungarvan Cycling Club was third.
Road Races
On Sunday, the four road races set off at staggered times.
First out was the Open Masters 50 category. Racing 100km, the route took riders out of Castlebar, along the shore of Lough Conn before looping back along Belta Lough and returning to the outskirts of Castlebar.
Victory went to Alan Bingham from Inspired Cycling. GBCC Member’s Club’s Derek Joyce was second and Dermot Radford from Black House Racing finished third. The Open Masters 50 team prize went to Black House Racing’s team of Dermot Radford, Sean Buckley, Cathal Russell and Derek Cullen.
Next out was the Women’s Masters 40 and 50 categories. They took to a shorter but equally as scenic a route of 65km. In the Women Masters 40, Orwell Wheeler’s Yvonne Doran topped the podium, with Breda Murphy for Carlow Road Cycling Club in second and Eva Donovan for Black House Racing in third.
Helen White won the Women Masters 50 for Stamullen Road Club. Diane Behan and Colette Quinlivan finished second and third for Dungarvan Cycling Club and West Clare Cycling Club respectively.
In the afternoon, the Open Masters 40 category were first out. The route followed that of the Open Masters 50 but with the inclusion of an extra loop from Lahardane, bringing the distance up to 117km.
Byran McCrystal claimed the national champions jersey for Bellurgan Wheelers. Barry Meade finished as runner-up for Kanturk Cycling Club and Thomas Quaid completed the podium for Foran Cycling Team.
Last out was the Open Masters 60 category, they completed the same 65km route as the Women’s Masters 40+50. First home was John Madden for Inspired Cycling, followed by Gerald Horan for Velo Club Balrothery in second and Brian Reynolds in third.