Cathal Purcell was clear in a breakaway with real quality but got the better of them at the end of the opening stage of the Bogman Two Day (Photo: Sean Rowe)
Bogman Two Day stage 1 won by Cathal Purcell
Cathal Purcell has taken the stage 1 victory and race lead at the Western Lakes CC Bogman Two Day promotion.
The Panduit Carrick Wheelers man stole a mark on a very strong break at the end of the 90km opener in Tullycross.
Purcell was victorious by a single second from a group of four containing some of the form men of the season.
He attacked the escape on a small incline with about 2km remaining and hit out for home, proving strong enough to hold them off.
Kerry Group Rás Mumhan winner Conor Hennebry was 2nd place on the day for Viner-Caremark-Pactimo. Mark O’Callaghan (Cyberteam ASD) rounded out the podium.
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Donegal Bay CC’s Darragh McCarter also made the winning escape and he was 4th today.
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And the last of the breakaway men across the line was Mark Shannon of Burren Cycling Club.
A gap of 47 seconds would elapse before the next clutch of three men would finish.
In that group was the stage winner’s team mate Jamie Blanchfield, Eoin O’Connell of Blarney CC and Sean Moore of Gerard-DHL; in that order.
David Brody of Castlebar CC was next; just four seconds off the back of the group of three and finishing in 9th.
Another 54 seconds back was Cian Sutcliffe; the Gerard-DHL man finishing alone to complete the top 10.
And after him came the really big gaps; a chase group finishing another three minutes later, and 4:45 off winner Purcell.
Stephen Murphy of Black Rose Racing was first across the only categorised climb of the day and so he holds the climbers’ jersey. Castlebar Cycling Club leads the team prize.
The racing continues on Sunday with a morning TT and concludes with an afternoon road stage.
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