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.