The Lakeland Cycle Club hosted the Mozzarella Fellas Lady of the Lake annual road races on Saturday evening on the Irvinestown Circuit. The two races comprised of an A4/Ladies race and a separate A1/A2/A3 event with a large turn-out in both races. They also contained intermediate Sprint primes kindly sponsored by Mozzarella Fellas and The Boatyard Distillery.

The A4/Ladies event was first off for four laps of the circuit in very tough, hot, conditions. Perhaps it was these conditions or the reputation of the tough racing circuit that curtailed the pace somewhat, as there was a reluctance amongst the peloton to race hard.

The first sprint Prime was after two laps, and an early break by Inspired Cycling’s David O'Neill looked like it would be the winning move, however, local rider Rory Gamble (LCC) had the strength to counter and coasted in to take the prize.

Unusually, there was no real reaction amongst the bunch and once again the race resumed at a fairly sedate pace. Sporadic attacks over the next two laps were only precursors to the finishing move which started at the turn for home on the Ardlougher road, when Mervyn Kinkade of DB Cycling opened up a sizeable gap.

Once again a reluctance amongst the pack was fatal as he was able to establish a substantial lead. Eventually that man Gamble had to take up the reigns about 1km from home but was unable to catch Kinkade who took a fantastic solo win. Gamble had several bike lengths on the chasing pack to take second and a great day out for the Lakeland Club was rounded off with a third , and an upgrade to A3 for Fergus McGirr. The first lady home was amongst the chasing bunch Sprint and went to Emma Smith (Navan RC), with Alison Higgins (Four Masters) second and Maria McAllister (TC Racing) third.

The temperature hadn’t dropped much at all for the second race which was seven laps of the testing circuit. The A3 bunch had a mere two minute gap on the A2/A1 bunch and predictably, were caught within a lap even with a 27mph average.

This race was a wholly different affair with attacks on every corner, every lump and a field split apart very early on. It took a mere lap and a half for the winning group to establish, a group of seven riders containing Lakeland's Conor Sprice, along with another local favourite Darnell Moore (Caldwell Cycles).

This group also contained several Donegal men, Darragh McCarter riding for Spellman-Dublin Port, Mark McGinley (Four Masters), then Nathan Mullan (Dromara), Conor McCann (Inspired Cycling) and Ciaran Dixon(Phoenix).

The talent and work rate of this group meant that all the efforts behind would be in vain as they were to stay clear for the rest of the race. Mark McGirr (Lakeland) tried to bridge but had to settle for the second group of just four on the road, which also managed to stay well clear of the chasing pack for most of the race.

Conor Sprice won the hotly contested Sprint Prime from the leading bunch at the end of Lap four . On the final lap there were attacks from many of the leading contenders and this group split up over the final few kilometres. An elite group of three approached the final kilometre together; Moore, McGinley and Mullan. McGinley broke for the line early but Darnell Moore was delighted to out-sprint him and take a very popular win after several attempts trying to win this annual event, and he received a huge cheer from the crowd at the finishing line. Lakeland's Conor Sprice held on for a great sixth place and Mark McGirr showed a return to form coming in for tenth and that was after re-mounting after a crash 2km from home.

All in all, it was another great event on the Irvinestown circuit made possible due to the combined help from all the volunteers from the Lakeland, Ballinamallard Flyers and Sham Wheelers Cycling clubs. As well as these volunteers there was great local support from George Beacom of the Bawnacre Centre and sponsorship from Mozzarella Fellas Pizza and The Boatyard Distillery.The Lakeland club wishes to express a huge vote of thanks to everyone involved.