Adam Ward Irish junior road cycling champ

Adam Ward prevailed to win big when it was put up to him in the closing stages by TT winner Ben Healy. Ward was crowned junior road race champion with Healy taking silver and Aaron Doherty claiming bronze (Photo:Sean Rowe)

[wpbrad id=133]

Adam Ward Irish junior road cycling champ

By Graham Gillespie

Adam Ward has continued his brilliant run of form in 2018 by winning the Irish junior road race title.

The Powerhouse Sport rider claimed victory on a blisteringly hot day in Coolaney, Co Sligo.

Ward finished ahead of Ben Healy of Zappi RT, who almost completed a nationals double after winning the time trial on Thursday

The pair proved best of a strong field; finishing together after an epic battle between them.

In the sprint to the line, video below, Ward proved far too good and won it well. But Healy has enjoyed a great championships too.

Another man to be closely watched for the future; Aaron Doherty of NRPT takes home the bronze after finishing third.

This victory will surely be the highlight of what has been an already outstanding season for Adam Ward.

The Tyrone teenager has clocked up numerous wins, including bringing home all the jerseys at the Newry Three Day.

Today’s success will help Ward get over the disappointment of narrowly missing out on the podium of Thursday’s TT. He finished fourth just four seconds away from a medal.

There was aggressive racing right from the start of today's seven-lap 123km race which started in Collooney.

Related News

Lara Gillespie attacks Dolomite stage as Giro hits high mountains

Video - Italy's hero Balsamo mobbed mid-stage during Giro TT

The race winner Ward was in this first break with Conor Gallagher of NRPT. The duo worked well together to stay ahead on their own for the first couple of 17.56-kilometre laps.

However, on the Hungry Rock climb on the third lap Ben Healy, Aaron Doherty and Cahir Doyle (Powerhouse Sport) would join them at the front.

These five riders would remain ahead of the peloton for the rest of the race. Shay Donley (NRPT) also launched a solo attack but remained stranded on his own in sixth place for much of the race.

The leading group of five would be split further on the penultimate lap.

Ben Healy attacked on the Hungry Rock climb and was followed by Adam Ward and Cahir Doyle. By the summit of the climb, only Ward was able to keep pace with Healy as Doyle dropped back.

[wpbrad id=133]

Healy and Ward would have a 50 second lead over the chasing trio of Doherty, Doyle and Gallagher.

Healy knew Ward would have the advantage in a sprint. Therefore, he attacked twice more on the last passage of Hungry Rock.

However, Ward was able to hold on and eventually outlasted Healy at the finish.

Further back the road, the battle for bronze saw the two NRPT riders Doherty and Gallagher work together to attack Doyle.

They were initially trying to bridge the gap to the front two but eventually they had to settle to race for the bronze.

It ended up becoming a three-man sprint for the line with Doherty edging out his teammate Gallagher and Doyle. And Donley rode very well for 6th.

The finish of the Irish National Junior Champs #CINatChamps18 @sticky_bottle @IreCyclingFed @SSbike pic.twitter.com/4cpHLqKPTk

— Cycle Sierra Nevada (@cyclesierra) June 30, 2018