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Irish National Points Series Round 2

Ballinastoe Wood, Roundwood, County Wicklow, Ireland - Sunday, May 6, 2007

Buggle triumphs despite serious injury

By Ken Farrar

Round two of the Irish National Championship continued on Sunday 6th May and took place on an unusually dry and dusty Ballinastoe Wood circuit, in Co. Wicklow. The event, promoted by Dublin based Sorrento Cycling Club was missing some of the big names on the Irish scene but nonetheless turned out to be an action packed event. A shorter circuit than usual at Ballinastoe proved popular with the riders and produced some aggressive racing.

Elite riders James McCloskey and Peter Buggle got down to business immediately putting a significant gap between themselves and the opposition by the end of lap one. Buggle, just back from international racing in Turkey began to trail McCloskey on lap two, and in a big effort to limit his losses in a wooded section, disaster struck. A lapse of concentration due to a derailed chain threw Buggle off line and face to face with a rather large pine tree, his shoulder taking the brunt of the impact.

Coming to a standstill at the beginning of lap 3, Buggle tried to block the pain and loosen out his injured shoulder. Slowly but surely he clawed his way back up to McCloskey who at this point seemed to be having good day in the saddle. Mid-way through proceedings Buggle had done enough to catch, pass and leave McCloskey trailing in his wake. McCloskey pulled out a last ditch effort to remain in contention but it was to be all in vain as a snapped derailleur hanger put paid to his efforts thus prematurely ending his race. This two-horsed race had come to an end and Buggle finally rolled across the line to take first place.

That wasn't the end of the drama though as almost immediately after the finish, Buggle's face winced in pain as his hand reached up to feel his injured shoulder. Something was seriously wrong and this was proved when he removed his jersey only to reveal a bone protruding just under the skin on his outer shoulder. A quick trip to the hospital revealed Buggle had ridden five laps of the race with a dislocated AC joint.

In the day's other events, recent Master's K-Capital Cup winner Joe McCall also overcame a fall to win the Masters race and it was the ever-consistent Aidan McDonald who took the Vet class. Another K-Capital Cup series winner Beth McCloskey (sister of James) ran out a clear winner in the woman's event. The benefits of early season racing in the K-Capital Cup churned out yet another winner as Yvan Sugno claimed the Expert class.

Due to an increase in numbers taking part in races and some surprisingly good weather for this time of the year, the Irish scene has produced some excellent racing to date and this is set to continue on 13th Map when the 3rd round of the National Points Series will take place in Carlingford Forest, Co. Louth and will be promoted by the Cuchulainn Cycling Club.

Results

Elite men - 7 laps
 
1 Peter Buggle (Team Worc)                    1.37.58
2 Ryan Sherlock (MAD)                            3.28
Five laps down
3 James McCluskey (Team Worc)                        
 
Elite women - 5 Laps
 
1 Beth McCluskey (U/A)                        1.16.22
2 Cait Elliott (UCD)                            10.09
Four laps down
3 Inga Doak (MAD)                                    
 
Experts - 5 laps
 
1 Yvain Sugno (Team Worc)                     1.10.13
2 Richard Felle (Team Worc)                      2.31
3 Dave Barry (IMBRC)                             4.06
 
Vets - 4 Laps
 
1 Aiden McDonald (Apollo CT)                    57.17
2 Gerry McCabe (Cuchulainn)                      0.08
3 Paul McMenaminn (Specialized/Leisure Lakes)    5.03
 
Masters - 5 Laps
 
1 Joe McCall (Rocky Mountain)                 1.11.31
2 Gordon Lucas (Team Worc)                       1.56
3 Damien Mulchrone (Epic)                        3.03

Local results 2007