Dave Walshe, leading, made the winning escape and proved strongest from it to win the Markievicz Cup, with former junior world champion Mark Scanlon also in the results (Photo: John Coleman – Dc Images)
Dave Walshe proved strongest of the winning breakaway in Sligo on Saturday to take the Markievicz Cup for Castlebar CC.
Walshe beat a strong group that forged ahead of the rest on the second lap in Collooney, Co Sligo, with former world junior road race champion Mark Scanlon (North West MTB) in the field.
The former pro and Tour de France rider infiltrated the chasing group that set off in pursuit of the escape.
But while Scanlon’s presence in any race will always be a talking point, there was no detracting from what was a great victory for Walshe.
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The winner would pull clear with four others including team mate Chris Troy, along with Westport Covey's James McGreavey and Mark McClure from the Caldwell Cycles team based in Omagh.
The race was 4½ laps of a circuit of just under 20km, for a total race distance of 80km.
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With the field tackling the Hungry Rock climb on each circuit, there was plenty of opportunity for the strongest to flex their muscle.
The breakaway went clear on the second lap when the A3 group was caught by the limit riders after they made up a deficit of three minutes.
The winning move initially numbered five, with Darragh Mc Carter of Donegal Bay CC having the legs to get into the breakaway but suffering a puncture and losing his place up front as a result.
But the remaining four put their heads down and would build a lead of two minutes over an eight-man chase group.
And that’s how it stayed until the finish; Walshe proving too strong for the others and taking victory from McClure, McGreavey and Troy in that order.
Scanlon was strongest of the chasers in the push to the line and took 5th place on the day, in what may hopefully be more appearances by him on the domestic scene.
Sat, March 19th: Markievicz Cup
Collooney, Co Sligo
Promoted by Éire Óg CC
1: Dave Walsh, Castlebar CC
2: Mark Mc Clure, Caldwell Omagh,
3: James Mc Greavey, Westport Covey
4: Chris Troy, Castlebar CC
5: Mark Scanlon, NWMTB
6: Paul Mc Carter, Donegal Bay
7: Richard Meaney, Westport Covey
8: Rodney Orr, Caldwell Omagh
Unplaced A4 Brendan Doherty, Saddle Rock
Unplaced Junior Calem Mc Carter, Omagh Wheelers.
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