{jcomments on}A strong showing by 2 riders from Naas CC at the weekend proved there is more to come for the season ahead.

{phocagallery view=category|categoryid=7|imageid=91|detail=0|float=left} Graeme Kidd had an impressive performance at the Travers Engineering Annaclone Grand Prix on Saturday with a 7th place in the season opener in Co. Down . On a tough and demanding hilly circuit of 60 kilometres the field of 61 was cut in half by the time the run in to the finish took place. With Shane Farren from North Down taking the win.

{phocagallery view=category|categoryid=7|imageid=90|detail=0|float=right}On the Sunday both Graeme Kidd and Leinster A4 champion Fergus Sharkey headed to Nutts Corner in Co. Antrim for the Phoenix Grand Prix. With heavy rain, high winds and hail, it made cycling tough and there was a number of splits in the field of 80 due to the fast pace and cross winds. After the 65 kilometres there was few left in contention due to a 6 man breakaway which eventually made it to the finish, Cormac Clarke from Newry Wheelers taking the victory with the Naas riders just outside the top ten.

Early season racing in Ireland generally involves large bunches. Riders are usually a bit fresh/frisky after a long Winter of training and living indoors on a turbo. The peloton can be a scary place. If you are nervous about brake levers digging into your maximus gluteus or shoulders rubbing shoulders or you do not have much experience of riding fast in bunches of cyclists then please be warned.

Next racing is in Dunboyne for the Mick Lally Memorial on Saturday and Navan for the Cycleways Cup on Sunday.