Adam Ward shines through for impressive win at Madigan GP

Adam Ward has taken his third big win of the season, adding victory in today's Madigan GP to his wins at the Tour of the Mournes and East Tyrone GP earlier in the year.

The promising teenager, who was Irish junior champion during a prolific 2018 campaign, was among the last men standing in the breakaway today.

And as some of the fancied climbers in that group piled the pressure on when the road kicked up, Ward absorbed it and was then far too fast at the finish.

The BioRacer-DHL-FRS man claimed the win from Craig McAuley (Caldwell Cycles), with Donal Shearer (Phoenix CC) completing the podium.

Jody Wright (Phoenix CC) and talented junior Nathan Keown (North Down CC) were also in the breakaway that fought it out for victory and placed 4th and 5th respectively.

The action came thick and fast from the start with a group of a half dozen riders getting clear inside the opening kilometres.

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Ward initially missed that move but got
across with McAuley and a couple of others on the opening lap to make for a
breakaway of 10 riders.

From that point on the race became a war of attrition over the three-lap contest with McAuley, Shearer and junior Keown aggressive, especially on the climb.

However, Ward was able to take the
pressure and when the group crested the climb for the third time his sprint
made him the favourite.

He made sure to get into the final corner leading it out and from that point powered to what was a comfortable margin of victory in the end.

Sat, Aug 17th: Madigan Cycles GP

Promoted by Team Madigan

A1-A2-A3 Race

1. Adam Ward Bioracer-DHL-FRS
2. Craig McAuley Caldwell Cycles
3. Donal Shearer Phoenix CC
4. Jody Wright Phoenix CC
5. Nathan Keown North Down CC
6. Darnell Moore Caldwell Cycles
7. Liam Curley Strata3-VeloRevolution)
8. Lindsay Watson Powerhouse Sport
9. David Montgomery Unattached
10. Michael Mc Glynn Omagh Wheelers

Unplaced A2

1. Peter Wakeley Unattached

Unplaced A3

1. Robert Curry Foyle CC

A4 Race

1. Michael Reilly Unattached
2. Peter Mc Clean Unattached
3. James Dane Velo Club Iveagh
4. Brian Kelly Four Masters CC
5. Declan Rafferty Cuchulainn CC
6. Colin McGready Cornerstone CC
7. Shaun Paul O’Shaughnessy Cuchulainn CC
8. Mickey Clarke Shimna Wheelers

Leading Woman

1. Fiona Kelly Wicklow Velo CC

Masters Race

1. Paul McArthur North Down CC
2. Daniel Logue Foyle CC
3. Jim McConnell Ballymena RC
4. Tommy Wilson Ballymena RC
5. Johnny Webb North Down CC