Ireland finish seventh at Coupe de l’Avenir!
The Coupe de l’Avenir was held in Belgium during the weekend and after not sending an open team in 2014, Ireland decided they would send a team to the event this year which is pleasing to see.
The team that was selected to go to the event was John Meara, Glenn McCormick and James Mackrel. Unfortunately for James he broke his collarbone so was ruled out for the event which was a real shame – there is always next year! Aidan McDonough then got the call up to replace him in the team and be the 125cc rider.
The day couldn’t have started any better as John Meara got the holeshot and led for nearly half the moto beating riders such as Alvin Ostlund and Nathan Renkens. John was able to bring it home for seventh which is a very good result. Glenn who didn’t get as good a start as John ended up in a respectable 16th place which was still good in a deep field. Aidan was able to ride his wheels of his 125 to end up in the top thirty as he finished up in twenty-nineth.
Unfortunately, John wasnt able to holeshot the second moto as well but another brilliant performance from him as he ended up in nineth beating a lot of European talent. Glenn was setting some very respectable laptimes but ended up in twenty-fourth position, Aidan was able to improve on his first moto and brought it home in twenty-sixth.
The last moto should have been the best moto of the day as Glenn and John where both running in 4th and 5th position but they both collided in a racing incident. John ended up in another solid nineth – he was able to step it up for the event, individually he finished seventh overall which is a fantastic result. Unfortunalty for the team, Glenn wasnt able to finish the moto which hurt the overall result of the team – it could have been even better! Aidan finished his last moto with a twenty-seventh.
It was an encouraging result for Ireland finishing seventh and beating top countries such as Germany, France and Italy! Riders can learn a lot by riding at events like this so lets hope the MCUI continue to send a team every year and the riders can keep improving. If everything clicks on the day then a podium could be possible!
John Meara – “It was an awesome experience racing in Belgium at Coupe de l’Avenir. Previous winners of the event have gone on to be world champions and gp winners so it is a big event with some very fast riders. To lead race 1 to almost the half way point set the tone for the weekend for me and I had an amazing time at the event. The track was quite natural and for me I didn’t quite gel with it at first but a few changes to the bike made me feel a lot more comfortable. A big thanks to the MCUI, Mick McGinn, Jim Jones, carvill development ltd, rynopower and a special thanks to Tom Mckiverigan and tmc motox for getting me to Belgium and keeping my bike running good all weekend. I would also like to thank Stuart Mclarnin for getting my bike ready before I left for the event.”
Glenn McCormick – “Great experience to race in Belgium at the Coupe de l’Avenir with so many big names and previous winners such as Gordon crockard, Joel smets and a whole bunch of other guys! Luck just didn’t seem to be on our side but everyone kept fighting till the end and never gave up! The track was mega, quite natural so I really enjoyed it, just disappointed with results, but I gave it my all! I would just like to say a big thanks to Mick Mcginn, Jimmy Jones and Norman watt for for making it all happen, I am very grateful to get the opportunity and also a special thanks to James Mullan for getting me there.”
Aidan McDonough – “It was a great event and i did good in the last two races, fell asleep in the first race. The jumps were big which I like and the track got rougher as the day went on and then I knew my fitness would come into it. I passed 3 riders on the last few laps in the last two races, it’s a pity we weren’t on the podium but sure, what can ya do! Thanks to Mick McGinn, Jim Jones, MCUI and the sponsors for all the help as well as my Mum and Dad.”
Article: Andy McKinstry
