Orwell’s Whiting had plenty to spare of DMG-Visit Nenagh’s Ryan (Photo: John Coleman)
By Brian Canty
Daniel Whiting (Orwell Wheelers) continued his progression up the ranks of Irish cycling when he took one of the biggest wins of his career with a fine victory in the Dungarvan GP yesterday, Sunday.
Whiting, who made his debut in the An Post Rás this year, escaped from a large breakaway group on the long drag up to the finish outside the town and clung on ahead of Simon Ryan (Visit Nenagh/Team DMG) and Barry Twohig (Blarney CC).
Whiting rode last year under an A4 licence but following a string of fine results he moved to A3 and subsequently A2. Based on his current form, he should be on course to join the A1 ranks sooner rather than later.
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Yesterday’s race was run over two laps of the usual 40 kilometre Millstreet circuit, finishing up the hill known locally as ‘Colligan’ on the Dungarvan to Clonmel road.
Over 70 riders turned out for the combined A2/A3 race, with no handicap given to the A3s.
The race was aggressive from the outset but unlike last year, where the decisive break moved clear after just three kilometres, this year’s edition was very much about keeping it together.
Several riders, including second-placed Simon Ryan, the Cork County CC duo of Ger Moore and Ryan O’Donovan, and the St Finbarr’s pair of Maurice Lawlor and Russell Treacy tried time and again to escape but each dig off the front proved futile.
Eventually the elastic snapped and Lawlor, Treacy and O’Donovan surged clear; but only managed to get 200 yards or so.
That provoked a response from the peloton behind and an innocuous looking attack from Wexford’s Simon Lambert suddenly looked threatening when Ryan followed him and they bridged across to the three out front.
Another volley of attacks saw a large group of more than ten riders come across. In that move were three Blarney riders, Ger Moore (Cork County), a Comeragh CC representative and Stephen Murray (Dungarvan CC).
That group had over 20 seconds by the time they hit the bottom of the hill for the final time and though several tried to get away, each attack was brought back. The breakaway looked in danger of coming to nothing as the peloton closed in but inexplicably it failed to close the gap despite those up front being in sight.
Maurice Lawlor launched an attack on the drag up to the finish and Simon Ryan responded. And though it initially looked threatening, it too was neutralised. Then a counter attack from Whiting proved the winning of the race as he quickly carved out a margin of 60 yards which no one in the break seemed keen to close down.
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Indeed, a moment’s hesitation played into Whiting’s hands perfectly and though he died to the line, he just about had enough in the tank to hold out.
Russell Treacy made a bold effort to nab second place when he attacked at the last bend, but with Murray (Dungarvan) on his wheel, followed by Barry Twohig (Blarney) and Simon Ryan, he was passed, with Ryan taking the gallop for second place.
In the A4 race Vinny Cronin, who rides unattached, took victory for the second year running.
A4 winner Vinny Cronin being presented with his prize (Photo: John Coleman)
A2/A3
1 Daniel Whiting Orwell Wheelers
2 Simon Ryan Visit Nenagh
3 Barry Twohig Blarney CC
4 Simon Lambert Wexford Wheelers
5 Maurice Lawlor St Finbarrs
6 Stephen Murray Dungarvan CC
7 Eoin Maher Comeragh CC
8 Ryan O'Donovan Cork County
1st Lady Louise Moriarty Look Mum No Hands
A4
1 Vinny Cronin U/A
2 Nigel Allen Wexford Wheelers
3 David Kiely Dungarvan CC
4 Frank Doyle Wexford Wheelers
5 Barry Murphy Wexford Wheelers
6 Mark Radley Dungarvan CC
7 Brian Murphy Waterford Racing Club
8 John Flynn Dungarvan CC
1st Lady Emma Walsh Dungarvan CC
U16
1 Dylan O'Brien Kanturk CC
2 Eddie Dunbar Kanturk CC
3 Kevin Hayes Ballymore
4 Dion McCarthy Fermoy
5 Niall Óg Dunne Kanturk CC
6 Sean Yelverton Limerick CC
U14
1 Ronan Twomey Cork County
2 Dillon Corkery Kanturk CC
3 Aaron Kearney Iverk Carrick Wheelers
4 Adrian Keohane Fermoy
5 Robert O'Leary Cork County
6 Ruari Dunne Kanturk CC
U12
Name Club
1 Eoin Birchill Fermoy
2 Evan O'Donnell Limerick
3 Jack McCarthy Fermoy
4 Will Ryan Bray
5 Laura Birchill Fermoy
6 Cian O'Keeffe Comeragh
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