Sunday will see the last round of the Big Red Cloud League. This also will be the last Big Red Cloud race, BRC has supported the series for the past two years and we are truly grateful for their support. Thank you!
Going into Sunday Luke Potter took time out to go through the results and standings and here is his breakdown of the mens and womens races. U12,14,16,junior to follow.
Men’s Elite Analysis:
All eyes will be on Dean Harvey (Spellman-Dublin Port), with a win, he can get the maximum amount of points, 180. Three wins in a league that will be decided on the Best 3 of 4 Rounds. Dean can 100% confirm his Big Red Cloud CX League win with a third place, as then a race win from Joseph Mullen will not be enough to deny Dean.
Current league leader, Joseph Mullen (Navan RC) looks set to secure second place. He can settle the debate with a third place in the final round. As in that case, even a win from Tadhg Killeen cannot overtake Joseph for second place in the League.
Third place in the league could be contested by the trio of Tadhg Killeen (Kilcullen Murphy Geospatial), JB Murphy (Kilcullen Murphy Geospatial/EvoPro) and Glenn Kinning (Kinning CC). Tadhg has a four point lead, but recent results would hint that JB could be taking over the podium’s final step.
The podium could be a bridge too far for both Travis Harkness (VC Glendale) and Alan Bingham (Newry). The duo are in contention for the Unplaced Junior and M40, respectively. Although, JB Murphy making the League podium will likely see Travis and Bingo ceed the Unplaced positions to Tadhg and Glenn.
In the Unplaced M50, Declan McEntee (Emyvale) and Fearghal Regan (Kilcullen Murphy Geospatial) will cross swords. Declan has a seven point advantage.
In the Unplaced M60, Johnny McCabe (Cuchulainn) will definitely win, should he race. Should Johnny sit the round out, there is an outside possibility, in a smaller field, that David Lawless (WORC) can move up.
Women’s Race Analysis:
Aine Doherty (VC Glendale) looks to have the league within her grasp. A fourth place finish is all that she needs to seize victory. This will put her score at 163 points, which is one point beyond what Leah McCarthy can achieve with a win in the final round.
For second and third, it’s a game of musical chairs, cruelly one of Leah McCarthy (Giant), Doireann Killeen (Kilcullen Murphys Geospatial) or Niamh Stephens (Giant) may be missing out. Leah seems to be the most secure, as the other racers need podium positions to over take her. Form this season would hint that Doireann may overtake Niamh for third place on the League Podium.
In the Unplaced Junior category, it could be Lauren Murray (TC Racing). But Aine Doherty, if she skips the round, will instead take the prize.
For the Unplaced Masters, Caroline Martinez (Chain Reaction) could take the prize. Although, she could be thwarted by Heather Foley (Yates Country) making the cross country trip. Hazel Murphy (Un-Attached) needs to beat Caroline by two clear positions, i.e, one rider between them, to over take her in the league, and in the absence of Heather, capture the Unplaced Master prize.