Sean Moore made his move late at the Mick Lally Memorial. But with a steep incline up to the finish line he proved strongest in the drag race to the chequered flag (Photo: John Hammer)
Sean Moore says he is hoping to gain selection onto an Irish team this year and to test himself on the British racing scene.
His team, Bioracer-DHL-FR Services, is planning to ride some of the bigger races in Britain as part of an ambitious programme in 2019.
And Moore got his season underway yesterday in the best possible fashion; winning the Mick Lally Memorial.
It’s a race that has previously proven a springboard for the winners to go on and have successful campaigns; Sean McKenna and Paul Kennedy victorious in the last three editions.
Moore is hoping he can repeat that trend having taken a year away from college to give the bike his full attention.
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Last year he took the Mullingar GP as well as the Mamore Gap stage of the Foyle Three Day.
He beat many of the best A1 riders in the country in Donegal that day, including Conor Hennebry who he saw off in a two-up sprint.
“The legs felt good today and I was delighted to get the win for the lads in the team. They’ve put in a lot of hard work getting this team together,” he said.
“I had a good winter this time, with no illness or anything like that. I’ve taken the year out of college. I’ve had a bit more time to get the miles in.
“And the plan for the season is to do good rides in some of the Premier Calendar races over in England that the team is doing.
“I’m also hoping to pick up an Irish jersey this year at some stage; that’s always been a big goal of mine.”
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Sean Moore in full flight and headed for the win, with the rest of the original breakaway just back the road (Photo: JohnHammer)
Yesterday the main event was over four laps of a circuit based around Summerhill, taking in Doreys Forge, for a total race distance of 88km.
A breakaway of about 12 riders broke clear in the second lap with approximately 30km done. And from that point the winning scenario unfolded.
“It was working well for a while but then got a bit cagey and riders started jumping around,” said Moore of the escape.
A smaller group then got away with Charlie Prendergast (Castlebar CC), Anthony Doyle (Strata 3-VeloRevolution) and Darragh McCarter (Donegal Bay CC).
They were followed by a chase group comprised of Moore, Sean McKenna (Dan Morrissey-MIG-Pactimo), Conor Lambert (Mysenlan-Baboco) and Liam Curley (Strata 3-VeloRevolution), among others.
As the gap began to grow to the leaders, and reach about 30 seconds, Moore jumped after them and got across on his own.
When he did only about 3km remained, including the testing ramp up to the finish line. Doyle’s and MacArthur’s challenge faded but Moore and Prendergast pressed on.
They were together starting the climb to the line but Moore would prove too strong; pulling clear of Prendergast.
Moore had plenty of time to celebrate out front on his own, with Prendergast taking the runner-up spot.
Behind there was a fight for the minor placings, with Conor Murnane (UCD-FitzCycles.ie) coming through to take 3rd from McKenna.
Doyle was next followed by Curley, McCarter, Lambert, Cian Sutcliffe (Bio-DHL-FR Services) and Simon Jones (UCD-FitzCycles.ie).
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