Austrian winner of gruelling race around ireland
Sunday 31st August saw the start of the sixth Annual World Cup Event - Race Around Ireland. Once again the field of international and home riders departed from the magnificent backdrop of Trim Castle. Following a circuit of Ireland, they finished in Navan on Thursday last.
Riders and crew from 12 countries tackled, what is considered to be one of the most gruelling cycling events in the world, with eventual winner Eduard Fuchs from Austria, taking the World Cup and European Ultra distance cycling championship in a time of 101hours 11mins with an average speed of 21.86kmh for the 2200km route.
There was a huge fight for second place between Irish rider Sean Hernon and Portuguese rider Mario Fonseca with Sean pulling away and gaining a narrow victory to take second place. Local rider James Seamus Smith arrived home to a huge welcoming crowd at 2am with a time of 130 hours 30mins capturing 8th position.
The four man category was one of the closed battles that has been seen in Race Around Ireland with only 30 seconds separating Celtic Media and The Virginia Triathlon club after 2000km of racing. The Virginia team of Matt Molloy, John McEnteggart, Jimmy McQuade, Lorne Stewart took the main prize in 3days and 7hours.
A new record was set in the two person category when Brian and Declan Quirke rode home in a time of 88hours and 15mins at an impressive average speed of 25.07kmph for the 2200km race.
The eight person team category was won by The Average Joes with the best of the corporate teams being Colgate Palmolive.
Category Results
Solo
1st Eduard Fuchs - Austria
2nd Sean Hernon - Ireland
3rd Mario Fonseca – Portugal
4th Peter Sandholt - Denmark
5th Valerio Zamboni - Monaco
6th Chris Hopkinson - UK
7th Dani Buerher – Switzerland
8th James Smith - Ireland
9th Michi Hange - Germany
Two Persons
1st Brian and Declan Quirke
Four Person
1st Virginia cycling and triathlon club
2nd Celtic media
3rd Cycle evolution
Eight person
1st Average Joes
2nd Palmolive Colgate
Pictured is Eduard Fuchs celebrating his win.