140 riders lined up for this years 'Shay Elliot Classic', a hardmans race through Wicklow over some of the hardest climbs to finish the 167km loop back on top of Djouce above Enniskerry. The race was held in sunny conditions but it was very windy.
A break of 15 riders formed earlier on after 50km of hard racing and it included 2 of our riders, James Davenport and Stephen Murray. They rode all day in front and nearing the main Category 1 Climb of the day Simon Ryan nipped off the head of the peleton and was half way across to the break when Mark Dowling pounced out of the bunch and he had the break caught by the top of Glenmalure summit. This break splintered on the run into the finish and only 10 riders were left to contest for the win.
Unfortunately at the end of the hard race, Mark Dowling was 3rd, James 9th, Stephen 15th and Simon Ryan 20th so a good day for the team and it moved Mark into the lead of the Irish Classic League Saeries which is a 10 race league of races from the start of the season in March to September. It is a goal of the team to win this.