Craig McAuley takes the spoils after huge effort at North Down GP

*A delighted Craig McAuley celebrates victory at the end of the North Down GP today, when he was clear in the breakaway before being caught and going again to win (All photos by Toby Watson)*

Craig McAuley has taken victory in the North Down GP after a 'never say die' effort saw him go clear in the breakaway, only to be caught and attack again close to the finish to win.

The Caldwell Cycles man had time to celebrate his victory as he came over the line well ahead of Aaron Watson (Powerhouse Sport), who had also been up the road for most of the race only to be recaptured.

The race was eight laps - cut by two as the start was delayed due to an accident - of the usual 13km circuit based around Donaghadee, Co Down. McAuley wasted no time and got clear just after the start with eventual runner-up Watson.

They plugged away for a couple of laps out front and, as they did, a chase group set off from the bunch in pursuit of them.

The efforts of the chasers paid off when three of them – Peter McLean (Ards CC), Shay Donley (Dan Morrissey-MIG-Pactimo) and Karl Morgan (Phoenix CC) – caught McAuley and Watson.

That made for a very strong five-man group clear of the rest and that was how it stayed until two laps to go, when the race situation began to change.

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Just after that point, with about one lap to go, more riders who had broken clear of the bunch also got across to the five leaders, swelling the numbers in the breakaway to about 10.

And while the initial attackers, McAuley and Watson, had spent almost the entire race off the front, the bunch had never thrown in the towel and caught the breakaway men on the final lap.

*Craig McAuley leads Aaron Watson in the early escape, the same two riders who would also break free late in the contest to take 1st and 2nd in the North Down GP main event (Photo: Toby Watson)*

However, with about 2km to go to the finish the bunch stalled on a section of main road and McAuley decided to have another go; still having the legs to attack despite having been up the road for so long.

Again, it was Aaron Watson who went after him and that duo managed to eke out a gap on the peloton and stayed clear to take 1^st and 2^nd.

Just behind them, the front of the bunch split on the run
in to the finish, with Matteo Cigala (Dan Morrissey-MIG-Pactimo) coming through
to take 3^rd place.