Darren Rafferty (17) scalps top A1 riders for PJ Logan Cup win

Darren Rafferty takes a great win; the quality of the result underlined by the names of the riders behind him - Chris McGlinchey, Matt Teggart and Lindsay Watson (Photo by Toby Watson)

Darren Rafferty may be among that group of junior and U23 riders who have seen vital time slip by during the pandemic but he's made the most of his first chance of 2021 with a brilliant win.

Rafferty, an Irish road and cyclocross international, is still just 17-years-old but he saw off some of the best riders in the country today to win the PJ Logan Cup in Coalisland, Co Tyrone.

Riding the race promoted by his home club, Island Wheelers, Rafferty (Team 31 Jollycycles U19) got clear in a six-man group on the final lap of nine today and when he got a run at the line he made no mistake.

Ryan Andrews wins the A4 in a bunch sprint from William McFarland and Niall Daly

While Chris McGlinchey (Spectra Wiggle p/b Vitus) pushed him closest, Rafferty was the clear winner and had time to celebrate as he crossed the line; elite international McGlinchey just behind in 2nd place.

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Then came Matt Teggart, the Vélo Club Villefranche Beaujolais rider taking 3rd place on a trip home from France. Another top name, Lindsay Watson (Powerhouse Sport), was next in 4th place.

And rounding out the top six were the remaining breakaway men; Fergus Callaghan (Four Masters CC) and Craig McAuley (Caldwell Cycles).

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With nine laps to race today in the handicapped event,
the A3s went off first followed by the A2 two minutes later, with the A1
scratch riders next at four minutes.

When the race came together eventual winner Rafferty was
active off the front in a number of moves before eventually getting clear in
the six-man breakaway and then leading out the sprint to win.

More to come.

Sunday, May 2nd: PJ Logan Cup

Coalisland, Co Tyrone

Promoted by Island Wheelers

A1-A2-A3 Race

  1. Darren Rafferty Team 31 Jollycycles u19
  2. Chris McGlinchey Spectra Wiggle p/b Vitus
  3. Matt Teggart Vélo Club Villefranche Beaujolais
  4. Lindsay Watson Powerhouse Sport
  5. Fergus Callaghan Four Masters CC
  6. Craig McAuley Caldwell Cycles
  7. Nathan Keown Dan Morrissey-MIG-Pactimo
  8. James Curry Dan Morrissey-MIG-Pactimo
  9. Alan Bingham Newry Wheelers
  10. Gary Cranston East Antrim CC

Unplaced Junior

  1. Rowan Montgomery Ballymoney CC

A2 Category

  1. Nathan Keown Dan Morrissey-MIG-Pactimo

A3 Category

  1. Gary Cranston East Antrim CC

Eddie Polin Memorial

  1. Ryan Andrews Unattached
  2. William McFarland 3 Peaks CC
  3. Niall Daly Square Wheelers
  4. Conor Grimes Clann Eireann
  5. Jonathan Hayes Portadown CC
  6. John Ferrity Island Wheelers CC

Women’s Race

  1. Darcey Harkness VC Glendale
  2. Maia Simmons Canyon Development
  3. Erin Creighton McConvey Cycles
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