Conn McDunphy tops classy podium at Shay Elliott Classic, Wicklow

Conn McDunphy has taken a resounding with the Shay Elliott Classic, topping a classy podium, with a breakthrough winner in the Ken Duff Memorial (Photo: Caroline Kerley)

The big finish, up the Shay Elliott climb, may have been removed this year from the Shay Elliott Memorial, and Ken Duff Memorial support race, but one wonders if its omission made any difference to the outcome of the main event.

Conn McDunphy, the APS Pro Cycling by Team Cadence Cyclery who was on fire racing, won the day with a blistering ride, on a breezy day for racing, after forging clear solo with just over a lap of the 24km circuit to go.

Though McDunphy, who was taking his second win in this race, was just dangling off the front of the chasing group, with a lead of about 20 seconds, he kept working away at it.

And the form that made him one of the main animators of Tour of the Gile (2.2) in the US the week before last eventually saw him ride clear for a decisive win; the elastic between him and the chasers snapping.

After he won solo, Jack Conroy (Velo Performance) came through for 2nd place in a race promoted by his former club, Bray Wheelers, and one he would have dearly loved to win.

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Liam Crowley (Pinergy Orwell Wheelers) took 3rd place, making for a classy podium line-up, with the removal of the big finish definitely not turning the 2026 edition into an easier race, with lesser riders coming out on top.

In the Ken Duff Memorial, Clonard Road Club has enjoyed its biggest day for many years as Bob Maye came through to win that.

In doing so, he continues a fine family tradition in the cycling game; the Mayes one of the well know dynasties in Irish cycling, with Bob now very much part of it.

More to come.