The dust has settled on the 2024 Bike Station Cycling League and after 6 rounds Patrick Loughnane of Cuchulainn Cycling Club was the winner, his margin of victory, though, was a single point over new comer Cathal McCabe..
The format of the league changed quite a bit this season, with all 6 rounds being held on the same 45km course from Dorian’s Bar over and back the link road to Ardee. Whilst not the most inspiring course for the riders, it did make for fast racing, with an average speed of over 47km per hour held by the scratch group on some nights. The league was well supported by riders from Drogheda, Navan and Bohermeen and had over 100 entrants sign on. Especially encouraging was the number of underage riders and female entrants, showing the sports’ wide appeal.

The league was Patrick’s first foray into road racing in a long time, his last race being while living in the Cayman Islands. He got his start in mountain bike racing and spent a lot of years in the daredevil discipline of down hill racing, where he claimed a number of national titles. His league win came about through three podium finishes out of the 5 rounds he contested.

Underage cyclist Cathal McCabe was the most prolific rider in the event, winning rounds 5 and 6 outright. However, when the points were tallied up, he fell short by the smallest margin of just the single point. It was still an amazing result for the under 16 rider and especially given that his league campaign started in such disappointing fashion when an accident in round 1 saw him have to withdraw with a mechanical before the 20km mark.

Drogheda Wheelers rider Luke Ginnell took the final place on the podium, again thanks to consistent results. Evergreen Gerry Kenny of Cuchulainn was 4th overall. 5th and 6th was a tie between Drogheda’s Shane Coll and Cuchulainn’s Aidan Cunningham. Shane was awarded 5th due to the fact that he did notch up a win in round 3, which was the only night that the scratch group managed to overcome their handicap to the other riders and make it to the front of the race.

Overall the league was a big success and a big thank you needs to go to the Order of Malta, who were there every night and expertly attended to an accident in round 3. The Bike Station shop once again stepped up to sponsor the event and when not taking part themselves were there on the night to man a junction or drive a safety car. Dorians Bar kindly let the riders use the car park as a base for each night’s racing and hosted the prize giving on the final night. Finally the tieless work of clubman Jim Wallace ensured the event actually went ahead each night. As always Jim was first there each evening setting out safety warnings, cones and was last to leave after tidying up.

We are already looking forward to next year’s league.

Results as follows:
46 : Patrick Loughnane : Cuchulainn CC
45 : Cathal McCabe : Junior Unattached Leinster
35 : Luke Ginnell : Drogheda Wheelers
4th 31: Gerry Kenny : Cuchulainn CC
5th 30: Shane Coll : Drogheda Wheelers
6th 30 : Aidan Cunningham : Cuchulainn CC

Pictured – Ray Fedigan of the Bike Station presenting Patrick with his award.