Vitus Pro Cycling young gun Ben Walsh on his way to victory at the Brian McNamara Memorial (Photos with thanks to Jimmy McElroy – follow on Twitter)
Ben Walsh, Charlie Prendergast go long in Galway
Several times this year the Powerhouse Sport riders have finished side by side at the end of races celebrating a 1-2, but today riders from rival teams finished in the same fashion.
Ben Walsh (Vitus Pro Cycling) and Charlie Prendergast (Castlebar CC) ended the Brian McNamara Memorial in Co Galway 1st and 2nd.
And having been in a two-man breakaway for 75km, not to mention being near neighbours, they didn't contest the finish.
Young Walsh crossed the line in 1st place with Prendergast, who has already enjoyed several strong wins this season, taking the runner-up slot.
They finished well clear of a chasing group that was led home by Mark O’Callaghan (ASD Cyberteam) from Conor Hennebry (Viner Caremark Pactimo).
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Next was Cathal Purcell (Panduit Carrick Wheelers) followed by Dominic McCartan (Apollo CC), Dara McCarter (Donegal Bay CC) and Sean Moore (Gerard DHL).
Danny McDonald of Burren Racing Team was delighted with his win in the A3 race.
Darragh Delaney of Annagh Wheelers CC sprints in to take the A4 event.
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The A1-A2 race was a highly competitive contest marked by aggression from within what was a quality field in the Tuam CC promotion's main event.
With six laps of the circuit to tackle, O’Callaghan went away early with Sean Hahessy of Viner-Caremark-Pactimo; a dangerous combination.
The testing start split the field on the first lap and about half the peloton would soon catch the two leaders.
Shortly after the catch was made, Prendergast went clear with Mark Shannon (Burren) along with Walsh and Hahessy.
They combined well and quickly pulled out a gap of about 45 seconds.
However, with plenty of firepower left in the large group behind them, the gap began to come down.
And before the four were about to be caught, last year’s leading junior Walsh made his move.
He attacked the breakaway with 75km remaining. Shortly after establishing a lead solo, Prendergast went across to him on his own.
They put their heads down and soon their lead on those behind was over one minute, before growing further to around 1:30.
And though a seven-man chase group got organised behind them, the leaders were never caught.
To mark their breakaway effort, a very long-range effort for just two men, they celebrated together at the finish.
Sun, July 29th: Brian McNamara Memorial
Promoted by Tuam Cycling Club
A1-A2 Race (126km)
- Ben Walsh Vitus Pro Cycling
- Charles Pendergast Castlebar CC
- Mark O’Callaghan ASD Cyberteam
- Conor Hennebry Viner Caremark Pactimo
- Cathal Purcell, Panduit Carrick Wheelers
- Dominic McCartan Apollo CC
- Dara McCarter Donegal Bay CC
- Sean Moore Gerard DHL
- Mark Shannon Burren Racing Team
- Stephen Murphy Black Rose
A3 Race
- Danny McDonald Navan RC
- Aidan Brady Longford CRC
- Rider’s Name Unavailable
- Joe Moran Westport Covey Wheelers
- Michael Devins Yeats Country CC
- Cian Dolan Unattached
A4 Race
- Darragh Delaney Annagh Wheelers
- Gavin Trappe Longford CRC
- Colin Lynch Club Rothaiochta Na Sionainne
- Kevin Porter Galway Bay
- Sean Meagher Athy Wheelers
- Eoin McGreal Castlebar CC
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