JB Murphy on his chances of holding yellow at Gorey Three Day
JB Murphy drives the escape during the opening stage of the Gorey Three-Day (Photo: Sean Rowe)
By Brian Canty
One of the best Irish juniors, JB Murphy proved his quality with a fine stage win on the opening leg of the Gorey Three-day.
The Murphy Surveyors Kilcullen rider was best of the breakaway that survived out front to contest yesterday's final. The help of teammate John Lynch aided him all the way.
“John went on the attack from the bumper of the car," said Murphy. "And I gave it 10km before I acted."
“I was roiling up to the side of the bunch and Luke Smith (NRPT) attacked.
“He sat up because he saw I was on his wheel. But then Dillon Corkery (NRPT) jumped.
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"I went across to the break on his wheel and that was it for the day.”
Murphy was clearly feeling good because he whittled down a group of six to four. Kevin Barclay (Spokes Racing Team) was the other man with Murphy, Lynch and Corkery.
Conor Murnane (Orwell Wheelers) and a Lucan CRC rider were also in the escape initially but dropped back.
With a team mate in the move, Murphy had a real incentive to push on. In Lynch he knew there was an experienced head to advise him throughout.
“Going up the finishing hill the first time, John dropped off the back. So I sat up but Dillon went back and got him.
“And we got him back on and drove it all to the line. That was at 85k and we had 20k to go so we needed him.”
JB Murphy on his chances of holding on
And after that sterling work, Murphy felt he owed it to his teammate to win.
“It was super, it was definitely a nice win to get, especially when you work hard in the break and it stays away.”
As for holding the jersey, Murphy faces a stiff test. But he has other teammates to help his cause besides Lynch.
“Anything can happen, it could be all over in the first 5k. Or it could come to a bunch gallop. We’ll see.”
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