Christopher McGlinchey, right, took a strong victory from an impressive field at the Phoenix GP, promoted by Phoenix CC (Photo: Richard Cowan)
By Brian Canty
Christopher McGlinchey won the war of attrition that was today’s Phoenix GP; the Chain Reaction Cycles man accounting for his breakaway companions at the end of the 80-kilometre contest.
The reigning Kerry Group Rás Mumhan champion proved too good for runner-up Lindsay Watson (Powerhouse Sport) and last year’s winner Eoin Morton (UCD-Fitzcycles.ie).
But it was one he really had to work for as he started with the scratch group who had a huge job to bring back the A2 men after they got an advantage of three minutes.
The limit men got down to work straight away and a group of around 10 - with many of the bigger names in it - managed to get across to those up ahead around the midway point of the contest.
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There followed three more 12.8-kilometre laps of sheer hardship as the attacks came one after another and the lead group at that point whittled down.
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McGlinchey was one of the main aggressors, along with Paul Kennedy (Newcastle West) and the aforementioned Morton and Watson.
And on the last lap the elastic snapped again when five broke clear; the four named riders and Andrew Chivers from North Down CC.
Keen to stay clear of the chasing bunch but also minding what power they had left, the leading quintet took it to the line with McGlinchey blitzing the sprint it in some style.
Watson edged Morton for second with Kennedy doing likewise to Chivers for the minor placings.
It was a superb day for the host club who claimed the A4 contest through Donal Sheerer and Edward Kearney was only bested by Ben Cody in the A3 race.
Laura Blair of Ballymena RC took the honours in the women’s event.
For full results of all events at the Phoenix GP please follow this link.
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