Professional Shay Elliott St. Raphael-Helyeet) after being placed in the first three stages won the fourth stage on Sunday to take the overall leadership in the tough Tour-of-Spain professional cycle race. On the following stage Elliot continued to dominate not only holding the leadership all the week. but increasing his lead to almost 3 minutes.

Across the border in France his clubmate Peter Crinnion (Urago Pestrins) competing as an independent was leading his team in the five day Tour de Sud Ouest (South West) and, after being prominent throughout, fnished thirty-fifth a few places behind professional Brian Robinson. This was quite a good performance for Crinnion considering that most of the hundred odd competitors were fully experienced professional riders Only a few weeks before, Crinnion in his first race this season, put up a remarkable performance in the Valence (Francel two-day, finishing 4th and 6th, deservedly gaining great write-up in the French a local press.

A home. Paul Elliott, Tommy Fitzpatrick and Phil O'Brien whe between them took second. third and team awards in the recent mountain time-trial, were in top form again last Sunday. The gruelling 60-mile Tour of the Gaps selection race attracted all the top wheelmen, including Lackey. Kimmage and Scan Dillon. Starting it Roundwood, it crossed the Wicklow mountains west over the Wicklow Gap and recrossed via the Sally Gap to finish in Roundwood. From the start, Elliott and Fitzpatrick were at the head of all attacks well supported by Phil O'Brien and Kevin Whelan. Through Blessington and back ever the Sally Gap, the pair were brilliant. Kane (North) made his solo effort, and riding strongly, took winning lead Over Luguala the last major climb, Fitzpatrick made a tremendous effort to catch the leader, but just failed finishing a very creditable second. with his team-mate Eliott, close up, third and Phil O'Brien clinching the team prize.

Last Sunday's race over the 40 miles-eighteen laps of Strand Road. Putland Road Vevay Road. Main, Street. Florence Road and Albert, Avenue was preceded by one non-competitive lap 10 accord; knowledge of the course to all competitors. They halted on arrival hack at Strand Rd so the formal start was from a halt position. This made the timing of the laps more interesting though, of course, it took seconds off them, as compared with a gradual moving to start. Short showers of rain and a southerly breeze must have slowed the cyclists somewhat. The lap times varied from five minutes plus to six minutes plus.

Thirty-seven cyclists faced the starter. Mr. Leo McDonnell, a member of the promoting Bray Amusements Committee. Originally the starter was to have been Mr. George Stenson, but he was away from Bray fulfilling another engagement.

At an early stage in the race especially after the fourth lap it seemed taken for granted. in the conversation of most spectators. that Christy Kimmage of Dublin Wheelers was most fancied to win. The forecast was amply justified and though his bid for "King of the Hills" title in the intermediate stages of the steep Putland Road. was challenged by the timings re-corded by McCarthy of the Kings Moss C.C. Belfast. he put in an extra effort in the closin laps and careered home to win with apparent reserves of stamina.

The Belfast McCarthy faded to third place in the final sprint and the second place went to P Davis, of Loraine Club who was 53 seconds behind Kimmage, who had clocked 1 hour 58 minutes 15 seconds.

PREVIOUS RACES
Before the start of the race Mr. B. Sleith announced that the race was being promoted by Bray Amusements Committee who were providing the prizes, and organised by the Irish Bond Club under C.R.E. rules

Mr. H L McAuliffe. U.D.C. Vice-Chairman of the Bray Amusements Committee, announced on behalf of the Committee. that rid ers would be addressed by Mr. Hugh Hinwell Chairman, Bray Urban Council who is also Chairman of the Amusements Committee. Mr. Hinwell said he read as a great privilege, as Chairman of the Bray Urban Council, to extend. on behalf of the people of Bray, a welcome to the cyclists who had come from distant places and to welcome both those and the local boys to the race. That cycle race had been one of the big events of the season for eleven years past.

There had been many successful cyclists in past races, such as Peter Crinion and Shay Elliott who learned the hard way the rigors of cycle racing and in that process the Circuit of Bray race had been a most valuable experience for them.

It was a pleasure to learn that those young men were now doing wonderful things in international competitions. After the race Mr Hipwell presented the prizes with a word of commendation to each successful cyclist.

Christy Kimmage whose victory on Sunday last served to stress the championship category into which he has made such spectacular entry, had a number of important victories to his credit including the 100 mile time-test, 200 kilo massed start, 12 hours test. His dual victory last Sunday , outright win and King of the Hills was the strongest factor in ensuring that, with teammates Fitzsimons, and Brennan the team award was secured by Dublin Wheelers.

Written by Peter Crinnion

I sat in the shade and settled down to read the daily L'Equipe in Marseilles. The headlines were - 136 coureurs in the 2nd Tour de L'Avenir, made up into 17 teams ranging from Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, etc. I read down the list and my heart sank. There was no Irish team. Was I destined to sit and watch this great event coupled with the Tour De France pass by again? I had seen it in 1961 and it made one of the greatest spectacles I have ever seen. Then the paragraph caught my eye - "A place has been reserved for the Irish boy Peter Crinnion on the International or Great Britain team." I was in, but at the time I had ridden in no more than 8 stage events. This was no real build-up for this tough event that I would have liked.

I met the Great Britain team in Bordeaux and they proved to be a fine bunch of bike riders but not near the standard of the mighty Dutch team who won 7 stages and the team award about the same number of times. There was £66 every day for first team so they knew what they were after. Also, the whole team rode the one make of bike and with every win they shared a bonus for the firm.

This, I feel, is a very important point for our team. Standard equipment or at least 4 on one type and 4 on another type of machine should be the aim.

The team mechanic had to work wonders spacing the rear wheels for changing, and his task often kept him up till 3 in the morning. The speed of the first stages was high, most of the riders seeming nervous and crashes were many. When I started to climb the mighty D'Izoard, my hip was as raw as the day I fell, and this was 9 stages later.

I got off my bike on the climb, which is 22 miles long, and filled my bottles after a lovely wash in a cool stream. When I started the weary climb on 45 x 25, no one was in sight. After a few kilometres, I felt good and soon I passed 20 or more riders. Then I came up to race leader, Nijdam, walking, and soon I reached Bill Bradley. I left him in an effort to make up as much time on Nijdam as possible, and I finished 10th after a hectic descent where the road surface was washed away with the snow.

My biggest disappointment came after 62 kilometres alone and only 3 from Lyon. I finished 4th after a rider fell in front of me on the cinder track.

Dozens of amusing things happened, but I am afraid I have not enough space to tell them. On one very hot day, George Bennett climbed over a fence to dip his feet in a swimming pool. The next moment, he was given a shove by an over-enthusiastic owner of the house, and he went straight into the pool. After his swim, he just made the time limit by 3 minutes. Not bad!

The thrill of arriving at the Parc Des Princes in Paris to hear the huge roar that greets the riders is unforgettable.

"A year in which the Club had reached a new high in sporting achievements despite two setbacks which had almost put the club out of existence" was the theme of the Chairman's address at the 13th annual general meeting of the Bray Wheelers' Cycling Club held in the Trades Hall, Bray, on Thursday of last week.

The Chairman (Mr. Joe Loughman), detailed how grave the situation was until very sporting gestures by Mr. Joe Blackburn and Mr. W. O'Brien had rehoused the club in a clubhouse which was the hub of the club's activity. Later in the season financial difficulties threatened but, thanks to great work by the special fund raising committee and generous donations by members, all commitments had been met.

On the brighter side Peter Crinnion had made his debut on the Continental circuits with Shay Elliott which had put the club in the unique position of possessing Ireland's only professional and independent riders as President and Vice-President respectively both of whom deserved great credit for their achievements in world class competition.

The performances of their amateurs at home was ample proof of the club's great potential. They earnestly hoped that the coming season would see the unification of cycling in Ireland which would ultimately lead to even greater performances.

Secretary's Report

Mr. Mick O'Brien (Hon. Sec.) spoke of the great honour, despite the absence of star rider Peter Crinnion, of having two clubmen selected to represent Ireland in the Isle of Man international. These two young riders, namely, Paul Elliott and Tommy Fitzpatrick, had a brilliant year, the latter in spite of the severe handicap of having his machine stolen whilst competing in Belfast. Paul Elliott had improved beyond all expectations, winning many major awards the grand total of which had gained him second place in the open best all- rounder competition being beaten by only half a point.

Their riders had pursued the usual practise of competing where ever competition was high and Galway and Belfast had seen their boys in action. Although the junior riders had started well by taking the novice team time trial, he felt that they had lacked drive as the season progressed. He sincerely hoped they would avail themselves of the training "get togethers" in the Clubhouse which Peter Crinnion, now home for the close season, had offered to preside over.

On the social side Mr. O'Brien continued, they had enjoyed some excellent colour film shows of all the events during the year, including the Isle of Man cycling week, taken by the Chairman. Their annual re-union which was attended by Shay Elliott and many notable wheelmen had brought the season to a very successful conclusion and he would like to thank the members and the Committee for their contribution towards that end. Tribute to Members

The Hon. Treasurer (Mr. Paul Smith) said he was more than pleased to announce that his financial report made pleasant reading. Beginning the year with a £10 deficit the total expenditure had exceeded £97 as against a total income of £108 which meant that the club could start this season clear. It was a great tribute to the membership as a whole who had made personal sacrifices to ensure that their club continued to survive. He was thankful to all and hoped that the financial sub-committee would remain a permanent feature of the Club.The new ruling which allowed advertising on club jerseys was food for thought and he was sure that traders would avail of it for the betterment of all.

Concluding Mr. Loughman paid tribute to the efforts of Mr. Liam McKenna to promote the touring side of the club and he was delighted to see that most of the junior riders were now affiliated to An Oige which would give them every encouragement to know their country better.

Officers were elected as follows: President, Seamus Elliott; vice-president, Peter Crinnion; chairman, Joe Loughman; secretary, Pat Ryan; treasurer, Mick O'Brien; Committee, Paul Smith, Tommy Fitzpatrick, Paddy Martin and Phil O'Brien.

Paul Elliott (Bray Wheelers) thrilled the the many home supporters at Bray Park on Sunday when he romped home alone to record a brilliant victory in his own club's fifth annual 75 mile "Route De Cill Mantain" massed-start cycle road race.

Thus he fittingly becomes the first to have his name inscribed on the silver trophy donated this year to the Bray Wheelers by his famous professional brother. Shay Elliott. Paul was well backed up by his clubmates in Tommy Fitzpatrick and Kevin Whelan. who clinched the team avward giving Bray Wheelers their third team victory this season.

In ideal conditions. Mr. H. McAuliffe. Bray U.D.C., sent the riders off and, on the first climb at Kilcroney. Sean Dillon (Tailteann) went away on a solo lead to be joined at Kilmacanogue by John Lackey (Tailteann). Paul Elliott (Bray) and Christy Kimmage (Dublin Wheelers). These four held a slight lead until Newtown, where the whole field regrouped until Ashford, when another group. including W Manning (Tailteann), D. Whelan (Eagle). P. O'Brien (Bray). P Davis (Loraine) and I. Gallagher (Antlers), forced the pace through Rathnew.

Turning out of the troublesome headwind towards Glenealy the "bunch" really got down to it, and straightaway Paul Elliott (B.W.), Kimmage (D.W.). Dillon (Tailteann) and Lackev went clean away building up a good lead until the first major climb prime at Rathdrum F where the leaders were caught Dillon. Elliott and Kimmage. however stayed at the front to fight out the prime points which Dillon took strongly, and this started the winning move of the race.

TELLING PACE
With 50 miles to go, these three stole away. Swooping down through Avoca, Woodenbridge and along the winding road to Aughrim, they built up a lead of over one minute, with Kimmage riding very strongly indeed. Back in the main held the Obelisk, Orwell, Loraine, Eagle, Antlers and Irish Road Club teams were doing everything possible to close the gap, whilst the Tailteann, Dublin Wheeler and Bray Wheelers were content, each having a rider in the leading "break."

After the very last descent through Ballinaclash and Greenane the trio had increased their lead to one minute and forty secs., but Dillon seemed to be weakening and was finding it hard to stay with Elliott and Kimmage as they approached Glenmalure.

Swinging on to the toughest climb in the race, with gradients of one in seven, and climbing tor almost a mile! to over one thousand feet high. Elliott piled on the pressure, with Dillon finding renewed energy, and at the top, it was Dillon just ahead of Elliott, with Kimmage dropped.

On to the last prime at Laragh it twas Dillon again Elliott and Kimmage had closed the gap, and behind was a group of ten including John Lackey (Tailteann). Denis Whelan (Eagle). V Higgins (D.W.). Mc Cormack (Orwell) and T. Fitzpatrick. K. Whelan and P O'Brien (B.W.). At Roundwood, Kimmage was dropped and retired, leaving Elliott and Dillon to fight it out, and just, before the Long Hill. Elliott made his move, shooting away from Dillon and riding into a clear winner by almost a minute.

Results 1. Paul Elliott Wheeler 3 hrs. 14 mins. 7 secs.: 2 Sean Dillon (Tailteann), 3.14.57: 3. 3.15.52: 4. John Lackey (Tailteann). 3.15.52): 4. John Lackey (Tailteann)." 3.15.52.
Team : Bray Wheelers (Elliott, Fitzpatrick. Whelan). King of the Hills-S. Dillon (Tailteann).