Encouraging start to new season for Bann Valley’s youth contingent

Bann Valley Road Club’s youth riders have had a successful start to the racing season.
By The Newsroom
Published 29th Mar 2015, 08:00 BST
Bann Valley Road Club's Shaun Byrne & Niall Lawrence at the recent Irish Selection Race in Dublin.Bann Valley Road Club's Shaun Byrne & Niall Lawrence at the recent Irish Selection Race in Dublin.
Bann Valley Road Club's Shaun Byrne & Niall Lawrence at the recent Irish Selection Race in Dublin.

After enthusiastic attendance at Gerry McCullagh’s winter training sessions Eoin Mallon, Shaun Byrne, Rob and Niall Lawrence were fit, fast and eager to start racing.

The first race of the season, a Cycling Ulster Youth Academy Provincial selection event, was scheduled for January 31.

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Unfortunately, its postponement due to adverse weather, meant that when it was held on February 7, Rob had swapped the Sperrins for the Alps on a school ski trip and Eoin’s performance was hampered by a chest infection.

The two remaining BVRC youth contingent – Niall and Shaun – performed brilliantly and were chosen for the Ulster Squad. This entitled them to race at Corkagh Park, Dublin for selection to the Irish Squad. Congratulations to Niall for his selection to the Ireland U16s.

Niall, Shaun and Rob raced at Errigal on February 15 in freezing weather conditions, this event attracted some of the top young riders from Ulster. Congratulations to Rob who came within the leading pack but was pipped at the post to take fourth.