Dean Harvey and Aine Doherty best in Falling Leaves GP

*Aine Doherty wins in Falls Park, Belfast, in the colours of host club VC Glendale (Photo: Toby Watson)*

Dean Harvey (Spellman Dublin Port) has topped a quality men's podium in the main event at the Falling Leaves GP in Belfast today.

In the women's race, young Aine Doherty has continued her successful first season in the junior ranks; the VG Glendale rider claiming the elite race promoted by her home club.

Harvey topped the men's podium from former national elite cyclocross champion Darnell Moore (Caldwell Cycles) while former Irish junior 'cross champion, and this year's Strade Bianche di Romagna (1.2U) winner, Darren Rafferty (Hagens Berman Axeon) was 3rd.

Doherty (16) won the elite race from the Roche sisters, both riding for Scott Bright Motor Group; Stephanie Roche taking 2nd while Annie placed 3rd.

In the men's race, Harvey was clearly best from start to finish; the Irish road and cyclocross international beating Moore by 2:09, with Rafferty rounding out the podium at 2:52.

*Dean Harvey rakes the Belgian flag just before crossing the line; a nod to his former club, and race promoters today, VC Glendale (Photo: Toby Watson)*

Eventual winner, Harvey, started the seven-lap race as he meant to continue by steeling a few seconds on Moore on the opening lap, and slightly more on Rafferty. Once in front, the race leader continued to build his advantage.

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By the end of the fourth lap, Harvey - who was fastest of the field on every lap - had an advantage of one minute over Harvey while Rafferty was a further 35 seconds back.

Behind the top trio at that point came juniors Curtis Neill (Carn Wheelers) and Irish road race champion Oisin Ferrity (Island Wheelers), with elite rider Darragh McCarter (Spellman Dublin Port) running 6th.

Through the final three laps, Harvey continued to build his lead until the chequered flag, where he ran out the winner in a race promoted by his former club; the U23 cyclocross international looking in fantastic form at present.

The women's race was a much closer contest out front; Doherty and Stephanie Roche locked into a brilliant battle over the five laps in Falls Park. In the end, while Doherty prevailed, there was just nine seconds between winner and runner-up, with Roche staging a brilliant fight back late in the day.

There was nothing to separate Doherty and Roche through the first three laps. Going out onto the fourth lap they were side-by-side before Doherty put 15 seconds into Roche by the time the final lap began.

On that last passage of the circuit, Roche dug deep and managed to take eight seconds back on leader Doherty, though the Belfast teenager had the race won halfway around the circuit that final time.

Annie Roche took 3rd at 3:10 while Helen White (Stamullen Road Club) was 4th at 7:59. Helen McParland (Phoenix CC) placed 5th at 9:38, with Caroline Martinez (Chainreaction) 6th at one lap.