THE Bray Wheelers Cycling Cub got off to a greet start to a new season. With the total number of riders who travelled to Navan for this most prestigous of early season races, well over 200, it was decided to spilt the senior race into two separate races.

In the senior A race three Bray riders took part. They were Paul Byrne, John Sheehan and Tony Martin. Best of the Bray entries in this race turned art to be Paul Byrne, who was very pleased to finishe 12th in his first race of the year. Both John Sheehan and Tony Martin were very unfortunate not to higher placed than 44th and 53rd respectively.

In the senior B race that Bray had their best success. The early pace was set by Ger Deegan, Harry Percival and Paul Fahey auto forged themselves ahead after five miles. it was not until halfway distance that the whole bunch came together and the winner of the race to be decided in the bunch sprint, and in the sprint Mark Murphy best placed taking 4th Paul Fahy 11th and Ger Deegan 14th, Harry Percival 17th and Tony Bareite 22nd. Mick Deegan was unfortunate to puncture in the last mile of the race.

In the third and final race for under 18's Bray Wheelers were represented by M. Cahill and B. McCann. Michael Cahill got into the action early and went ahead in the leading group of six. This group stayed ahead to the finish where Michael found the strength to finish 3rd. Eddie McCann who rode his first ever race was well pleased with his 31st place finish.

The club welcome any new members for racing or touring to come along any Thursday nigh to the Clubhouse on the Upper Dargle Road from 8:30 pm. Sunday runs leave from Kilmacanogue at 10am returning to Bray for lunch at 1pm, everyone is welcome.

LAST week's Coca Cola Grand Prix at Leixlip saw Bray Wheelers place three men in the first six Ger Deegan, Mick Cahill and Paul Fahy in a hard race which saw many well known names behind the local lads. John Sheehan rode a good team race behind the leaders.

The Enniscorthy Strawberry Fair Race gave Bray Wheelers a clear winner in Mick Cahill, who got away with four other riders. With 11 miles to go he put on extra pressure on a short sharp hill which two of his competitors found too tough to keep going on. With only three left in it, Cahill proved the strongest and decisively beat them over the last man who is still only a junior half mile. It was a great win for a rider in the face of senior opposition. His two feet high trophy proves it.

The clubs senior riders (over 40s) took off the kid gloves as well in the Vets' 50 miles time trial. Peter Crinnion emerged the third fastest with a time of 2-07-26 while Dermot McGrath won the first handicap prize. Crinnion looks set to get even better and it looks like Wheelers have one of the best veteran teams in the country. The club's summer league has seen a quick change with schoolboy racer Emmett now in first place. Full results next week.

The 42 mile mountain time trial starts on Saturday morning next at the Glen of the Downs. Peter Doyle holds the record for this one, although it was neared by Billy Kerr two years ago. It will need a superb ride to beat it. This should be a race well worth watching, with all the big names going.

MEMBERS of Bray Wheelers Cycling Club were again in action in the Leinster summer track league last week end. In the schoolboys' races. Emmett Egan won a good third place and then followed this up with a fourth. But for a very tough last lap, he may even have finished further up.

The highlight of the night was probably the lap handicap which had a full entry and finished with some very fast laps indeed. Mick Cahill and Ger Deegan both showed at the front then Paul Fahy took off on his own leading by 15 metres for three laps. A small bunch then closed in on him however, and it was Cahill who won by lees than half a wheel in a very tight finish.

In road racing, club members are not getting the results. Perhaps the 100 mile championship will see one of the members notching up a place next

LAST weekend saw the Bray Wheelers Club championships contested over a long, hard 50 mile circuit which took the racers from Bray,to Ashford, Roundwood, Rathdrum and back.

The hills soon left a small group clear and seeing their opportunity they pressed on and opened a big gap.

At the finish Ger Deegan printed home from Mick Cahill and behind them Harry Dawson and John Darcy battled it out for third place with Dawson just making It.

In the Premier All-Ireland Triathlon, four Bray Wheelers competed to one mile swim, the 54 mile cycle and the 13 mile run. All four not only finished, but finished in the top half. John Darcy performed very well and occupied 10th place with 4-27-14. Right behind him in 11th place came Peter Doyle 4.29. Phillip O'Brien made it in 5.18 and Joe Murphy in 5.33. All agreed the cycling course was hard aad took a fair amount of skill to negotiate it. The sight of Ben Bulben does not seem to have appealed to any oof them as one member put it!

Wheelers Cycling notes MEMBERS of Bray Wheelers Cycling Club were again in action in the Leinster summer track league last week end.

In the schoolboys' races. Emett Evan won a good third place and then followed this up with a fourth. But for a very tough last lap, he may even have finished further up.

The highlight of the night was probably the lap handicap which had a full entry and finished with some very fast laps indeed. Mick Cahill and Ger Deegan both showed at the front then Paul Fahy took off on his own leading by 15 metres for three laps. A small bunch then closed in on him however, and it was Cahill who won by lees than half a wheel in a very tight finish.

In road racing, club members are not getting the results. Perhaps the 100 mile championship will see one of the members notching up a place next weekend.