Darren Rafferty has capped a brilliant 2021 season with victory in the junior road race at the National Road Championships in Coolbeg, Rathnew, Co Wicklow, today.
The Team 31 Jollycycles U19 rider forged clear at the front of the 96.4km race today with Dean Harvey; the Belfast teenager competing with VC Glendale who has been so dominant on home roads this year.
As the race progressed, in wet
conditions and on undulating roads, Rafferty managed to distance Harvey – no easy
task – and then used his power and TT skills to ride solo to victory.
The early part of the race was
dominated by Somhairle Owens Fisher; the Caldwell Cycles man showing no fear
and great legs during today’s title race.
He attacked from the bunch and as
that peloton disintegrated on what is a lumpy course, Fisher Owens pulled out
almost two minutes at one point.
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Eventually, the strong riders
emerged from the peloton to form a chasing group and they were first to catch
the road leader.
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Harvey and Rafferty got across to
Fisher Owens first, but then three more riders quickly also got up to them.
As well as Rafferty, Harvey and Fisher
Owens; Jamie Meehan (VC Glendale) was also there along with Ruairi Byrne
(Orwell Wheelers) and Samuel Moloney (Greenmount Cycling Academy).
From that group, Rafferty and Harvey
proved strongest; pushing on from the other four before Rafferty was out front
alone.
When Rafferty managed to distance
Harvey there was still about 30km to go in the race and very soon when the time
checks came in he had 45 seconds over Harvey.
The other four riders - Fisher Owens, Meehan, Byrne and Moloney – with a little
further back and all four very still very much in the medal hunt.
When Rafferty hit the 20km to go
marker he had one minute on Harvey at about 1:40 on the four chasers. At that
point the remains of the bunch was about eight minutes back the road.
Rafferty continued to power away out front on his own to take the win by about two minutes on his own. Harvey took silver and his team mate, Meehan, finished just a few seconds behind him for the bronze.
Last year's winner, Ronan O'Connor of Orwell Wheelers, came through for 4th place just ahead of his team mate Byrne in 5th.
For full results with time gaps, please follow this link.
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