Cyclists flock to Mayo for epic races
Members of the Westport Tri Club team took to the road in the gruelling Wild Mayo Ultra cycling event which was based in Westport but took participants right across the county.
Cycling: Westport played host to the Wild Mayo Ultra recently, and true to its name the event delivered punishing winds, unforgiving terrain and unforgettable memories. A strong south-westerly wind battered the riders all weekend long, making every kilometre earned and every finish line crossed, an extraordinary feat.
Two sectors in particular – the leg from Bangor to Currane and around Achill Island – proved to be the stuff of legend. Riders will speak of those stretches for years to come, where grit and group strength mattered more than anything. Despite the elements, participants embraced the challenge with defiance and camaraderie, knowing that every wheel on the road faced the same brutal headwinds.
The longest distance of the weekend drew a select group of elite ultra-endurance riders. Aptly named the ‘Beast of the West’, simply finishing the 500 kilometres was an achievement. Winning it? Heroic. The top three finishers were Colm Richardson (Errigal CC), who was the first supported rider home in 19h50m, while the first unsupported rider was Ken Van Someren (Yeats Country CC) in 22h28m. The second unsupported rider to finish was Italy’s Edoardo Dal Bosco who came home in 25:18.
The 300km event brought out serious competitors. Fast-moving and fiercely contested, the route tested pacing and stamina across some of Mayo’s harshest hills and coastline. The first three home were Barry O’Driscoll (Bear Cycling, Dublin) in 10h20m, Ken Egan (Tuam CC) in 11h30m and Mark Cassidy (Errigal CC) in 12h07m. Winners of the pairs race were Emma Walsh and Beanie Byrne (Dungarvan CC) in 13h30m The most popular distance was the 200km category which saw huge participation, especially in the team/group section, where up to six riders combined to take on the Mayo elements. This was where strategy, support and spirit came together. Donegal’s Rory Devlin was the winner in 6h22m04s, just over six minutes ahead of runner-up Jerry McCarthy (Tralee Manor West BC) who crossed the line in 6h2858s. In third position was Nigel Davenport (Inishowen CC) who finished in 6:34:49.
Islandeady Cycling Club’s Sinéad Parsons was the first lady home in 8h14m while winning the team category were Brendan McMahon, Oliver O’Neill, Declan Brady and Mike Condon from Cork’s Over The Hill CC. They finished in 9h24m36s.
The Clew Bay Hotel served as event HQ, providing a warm welcome and solid support base for weary legs. The organisers also extend thanks to Westport Bike Shop and Marrey Bikes, the event’s generous sponsors who provided prizes for the podium finishers.
From the scenic hell of Achill to the windswept beauty of Bangor, the Wild Mayo Ultra proved why it’s one of Ireland’s most gruelling and rewarding cycling events. Riders left with legs full of lactic, hearts full of pride, and memories of Mayo’s wild west coast etched forever.
Next year a change of route is on the cards, bringing more Mayo icons to the sport of Ultra cycling.
