Record Entry for Lakeside Wheelers Cyclocross

A total of 170 riders signed on for the 2025 Lakeside Wheelers Cyclocross races last Sunday in Belvedere House and Gardens. This surpassed all expectations and exceeded the previous high entry of 153 in 2024 indicating the growing popularity of this exciting sport.

This was a great boost for the members of the organising committee who spent the last two weeks preparing for the day which was Round One of the Leinster Cyclocross League. Unfortunately, the weather forecasters predicted heavy rain and wind and they didn’t get it wrong as the rain pelted down for the first three hours of racing. This proved extremely difficult for the younger riders with the U12’s, U14’s and U16’s all taking to the track between 10am and 1pm for their events.

Despite the horrendous conditions there was some thrilling racing action, especially in the U16 boy’s race with two of the best young riders in the country going head to head over the six lap event. In the end it was Bohermeen’s Eoin Davis who took the victory by a short distance. Youthfulness won the day again in the A race which saw a big field of over 50 riders starting and by now the circuit was an absolute mud fest, typical cyclocross fare, but was it torturous for the competitors.

Lakeside Wheelers was represented in this race by Richie Lenehan and Fergal McCabe who both found the going very difficult. Richie had the misfortune of catching his handlebars in the netting on one of the corners on the first lap and his effort to get back into the race cost him dearly in the end. However, in true sporting style, both lads said they really enjoyed the race and paid tribute to the organisers, stating that the layout of the course was excellent.

The B race was the final event of the day and the one which saw the biggest selection of Mullingar riders participating. Ronan Bracken, Conor Eighan, Dave Fagan, Seamus Moran, Neil McDermott, Paul Crowley, Nick Vorwerk and Kevin Marshall were all kitted out and completed a very hard race in what can only be described as a quagmire. Tough and all as it was, it didn’t stop Neil McDermott forcing his way into the lead on the first lap and there he stayed until he crossed the line seven laps later. This was a real show of strength from Neil and congratulations to him for holding off the chasers.

With all the races completed it was time to start the big clear up. Thanks to all club members, their families and friends and some visitors who stayed on to help but especially to those who had raced for giving a hand with this thankless task. Thanks also to the organising committee led by Steve Franzoni, Paul Gibney and Mark Horohoe who, along with several volunteers put together yet another fabulous Lakeside Wheelers promotion. Finally, on behalf of Lakeside Wheelers Mullingar, thanks to the civil Defence for providing medical cover and to Westmeath Co. Council for allowing access to Belvedere House and Gardens for this day of racing. It is much appreciated and does not go unnoticed by the visitors, many of whom commented on the beautiful surrounding.