Killian O'Brien is now really coming good after an injury-hit first season at U23 level last year, now taking his first big senior road race win on home roads in Co Meath today, Sunday (Photo: Sean Rowe)
Killian O'Brien (Team Skyline) just a few days ago told stickybottle he felt he was finally breaking through with his cycling, following a very strong performance at the recent Tour de Beauce (2.2) in Canada.
And now the 20-year-old Dubliner has claimed his first senior win on a Sunday on the domestic scene, proving best in the Sean Nolan Meath Grand Prix in Navan this afternoon.
O'Brien was a very promising junior, taking 3rd overall at the Junior Tour of Wales, 3rd in the junior road race at the National Road Championships and winning the elite National Hill Climb Championships.
However, his progress was slowed last year, while riding for UCI Continental team Petrolike, after he picked up an early season injury following a big winter.
But he went to Canada the week before last, placing 3rd on a stage and also finishing 2nd in the young rider classification; the first UCI-ranked senior race he was truly competitive in.
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And now comes his first senior road race win on home roads.
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Run off in brilliant sunshine, the Navan Road Club promotion saw O'Brien finish in a three-man move, with Ronan O'Connor (APS Pro Cycling by Team Cadence Cyclery) and Ronan Killeen (Lucan CRC).
At the finish, O'Brien was simply too strong for O'Connor, overpowering him in the final run to the line, with Masters road race champion Killeen finishing in 3rd just a few lengths back.
And as the top three finished, a chasing group was right behind, sprinting it out for the minor placings.
Rás Mumhan stage winner Josh Callaly (Velo Performance) won that sprint for 4th place, from Daire Feeley (Burren CC).
More to come.
Sun, June 21st | Sean Nolan Meath Grand Prix
Navan, Co Meath
Promoted by Navan Road Club
- Killian O'Brien (Team Skyline)
- Ronan O'Connor (APS Pro Cycling by Team Cadence Cyclery)
- Ronan Killeen (Lucan CRC)
- Josh Callaly (Velo Performance)
- Daire Feeley (Burren CC)
