Date: June 27, 05

 Three Western Lakes cyclists enjoyed successful weekends – one in Belgium, and one in Co. Antrim.

 William Connolly, who is a reserve on the Irish team for this summer’s European Youth Olympics, finished best of the Irish in a major road race in Belgium on Saturday.

 He finished 9th, and on Sunday was second of the Irish he finished 12th in another road race near the Sean Kelly Cycling Academy in Belgium, where he was staying with the rest of the Irish squad.

 William is showing outstanding form at the moment. Another Western Lakes cyclist Martin Munroe – who is a regular on Irish international teams – finished 6th and 10th respectively in Junior races in Belgium at the weekend.

 Also doing well is Mary Mulchrone, in her first year as a racer – she produced a fine showing to finish eleventh in the All-Ireland Women’s Road Race in Dundrod, Co. Antrim, on Saturday.

 Mary led the race for 20km before being caught by the chasing bunch. However, she retained her composure and was sprinting for sixth position before finishing eleventh.