Plenty of local success at Ballivor Grand Prix 2023
Hannah McNamara
Bohermeen man, Aaron Rafferty (Moynalty CC) came out on top in the successful Ballivor Grand Prix 2023 hosted by Navan Road Club last Saturday.
The race ran as a handicapped race so the participants were grouped according to their ability with A4 off first followed by A3, then A1/A2 and lastly the ladies category.
The village was filled with cars from those who travelled to compete or watch the race. Even the locals stood alongside the starting point to wave the racers off and gathered later to the pub and sponsors of the event McLaughlin's.
The first category of cyclists set off on the 55km track at about 7.15pm.
Upon winning the race Aaron Rafferty was presented with the Kieran Harte trophy.
Niall Dogget, member of Navan Road Club and organiser of this event said:
"There was plenty of local success in the Ballivor Grand Prix with Aaron Rafferty, a Bohermeen native riding for the Moynalty cycling team taking a great sprint victory of the 2023 season and perhaps best of his career to date."
"After competing in the recent Rás Tailteann, Aaron's form has been building towards this victory, and is a sign of this young man's potential."
The Ballivor GP 2023 results saw Ronan Killeen (Lucan CRC) in second place, Daire Feeley (All Human Velo Revolution) in third place, Javan Nulty (U/A) in fourth place, Christopher Marshall (Leinster) in fifth place and Charlie Holt (Roadman CC) in sixth place.
Fergus Crilly of promoting club Navan RC took 3rd on the A2 category, in a "very fast and furious bunch sprint."
Tony Farrell of Bohermeen CC, a relative newcomer to road racing has "shown great progress in 2023 and backed that up with a fine win in the A4 category."
The ladies category saw a tight battle between riders Aine Doherty (VCG Glendale) and Zoe Shakespeare (TC Racing). Aine Doherty finished strongly with Zoe taking 2nd place.
This race was the first of a series of races that Navan Road Club hold during the month of July. The other two races are Robinstown Grand Prix on 16th July and Mount Nugent Grand Prix on 30th July.