Drew McKinley (48) seizes the day and yellow jersey in Derry

Drew McKinley of Newry Wheelers storms in at the front of the breakaway in the C2 Carn Wheelers Two-Day to claim victory on the opening stage (Photo: Toby Watson)

Drew McKinley, one of the stalwarts of Newry Wheelers Cycling Club and the Irish road scene generally, has seized the day to win the opening stage of the Carn Wheelers Two Day.

Now aged 48 years, but showing no signs of slowing down, McKinley was best from a four-man breakaway in Maghera, with that lead group gaining just over one minute on the main field after a near stage-long effort out front.

Up the road with the eventual stage winner were two riders flying the flag for host club Carn Wheelers - Jimjo McCullagh and Jonathan Taylor. The lead group was completed by Des Woods (Inspired Cycling), make for a lead group comprised of riders all willing to get stuck in.

And that's exactly what they did, making it all the way to the line, and mopping up all the climbers' classification points along the way; McKinley also taking the lead in that competition.

However, by the time they got to the finish, after 90km of racing over 2¼ hours, the four leaders were down to three, as McCullagh was distanced a little.

Related News

Sean Kelly | "Seth Dunwoody is better than I was at 20, he's a big talent"

Ben Healy, Richard Carapaz named to lead 'EF' challenge at Tour de France

McKinley made sure of the victory, sprinting in ahead of Taylor, with Woods filling the final step on the podium; the top three all on the same time. McCullagh was just 36 seconds down on the line, taking 4th place.

Jamie Philips (VeloRevolution-SpeedQueen) and William Lamour (Ards CC) were 5th and 6th, both at 59 seconds, with Conor Kelly (VC Glendale) and James Gordon (Phoenix CC) a further two seconds back in 7th and 8th.

Then came Daire Nulty (Breffni Wheelers) in 9th at 1:04, followed by Cathir Doyle (Carn Wheelers) in 10th - some 1:06 down on winner McKinley and on the same time was the rest of the peloton.

The race continues with this evening's TT stage and tomorrow's stage 3 road race.