Lakeside Wheelers Mullingar GP 2025

The 2025 Lakeside Wheelers Mullingar GP was staged on the Bank Holiday Sunday in Multyfarnham and saw great numbers turning up to participate in this historic race.

Conditions were absolutely perfect for bike racing with the circuit in immaculate condition thanks to Westmeath Co. Council. As usual the 34km lap starts at the Community Centre in the village then takes the cyclists through Crookedwood, Castlepollard and Coole. With four separate races on the circuit at the same time, doing distances ranging from 136km to 102km to 68km, it was a hectic day for the members of the organising committee who put months of preparation into ensuring this event runs smoothly and safely.

The National Grade C1 was the first race off at 10.00am with 30 riders going to the line for this 136km marathon. The runaway favourite was Roscommon man, Daire Feeley (Burren CC) who last year won his hat-trick of Mullingar GP’s. However, there was stiff competition from the very strong field which, from the gun, set a very fast pace. Lap 1 was completed in an unbelievable average speed of 47kph and saw a break forming. With the exception of one rider, Paul kennedy (Team Skyline) this was absorbed by the chasing peloton as they set off on the finishing lap. Kennedy tried his best but he was caught in Whitehall as the bunch then raced into Castlepollard. Across the bog road from Coole the racing was frantic with attacks firing continuously until Padraig O’Sullivan (Burren CC) struck out for home and kept his advantage, crossing the line ahead of Eoin Clifford (Dan Morrissey Pissei Cycling Team) followed closely by the main bunch containing Lakeside Wheelers’ Padraig Moran.

The bulk of Lakeside Wheelers members rode in the C2 and C3 races and all finished strongly although just outside the podium places. In the C2 race, Stuart Cox was the best of the locals while Richie Lenehan, Neil McDermott and Brendan Kiernan also gave good performances. The Lakeside Wheelers members in the C3 race were led home by Mike McCafferky with Dave Fagan, Paul Murtagh, Seamus and Michael Moran also completing the two lap race while Ali found the going a bit tough this year.

The organisers were delighted with the day’s racing and more importantly, delighted that the medical teams were not called upon. Thanks to Multyfarnham Community Centre, Westmeath Co. Council, Order of Malta, Mullingar Gardai and the people of Multyfarnham for their ongoing support for this race. The biggest thank you always goes to the Lakeside Wheelers members who stand on the roadside, drive cars, manage the sign-on desk and then look after the hospitality which we are now famed for. Without your help and cooperation there would be no Mullingar GP and your presence does not go unnoticed. Several riders came forward as they departed to say thanks for a great race and all commented on the quality of the racing circuit and the professionalism of the marshalling around the circuit.

The annual club BBQ was held on Sunday night after the race in Caffery’s on Mount St and allowed everyone to relax and discuss the events of the day. This was well attended and enjoyed by all until the late ish hours but with Monday being a holiday there was no pressure.

The organisers include Jack Nugent who has the thankless job every year of enlisting marshals, Paul Gibney, who this year took on the role of managing Transport, Eugene Duffy on Administration, Mark Horohoe who is our Chief Judge on the finish line, Cathy O’Toole on Sign-on and former member, Eamon Hogan who is Clerk of the Course.

Lakeside Wheelers, take a bow.