As well as winning the race, Conor Dunne was also on the podium as part of the best team. His JLT-Condor squad took first and third in what was a perfect afternoon for them (Photo: Larry Hickmott - VeloUK.net)
By Brian Canty
Irish elite international Conor Dunne has won the biggest race of his life today, Sunday; claiming a marvellous victory in the Rutland-Melton International CiCLEClassic (1.2).
The JLT-Condor rider crossed the finish line at the end of an epic afternoon ahead of Gruff Lewis (Madison-Genesis) and Chris Lawless (also JLT-Condor).
It was an action-packed day, and one not without incident as racing had to be stopped due to a serious crash that occurred early in the race.
Details of the crash are unclear but it’s believed the decision to neutralise affairs was in order to take injured riders to hospital and there were insufficient ambulances remaining to follow the race immediately after.
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But when racing resumed, the action was just as frantic as before. And eventually Dunne managed to get up the road on his own.
He was clearly on a good day and feeling confident but was back in the bunch with around 80 kilometres covered.
The next move of the day came from the flying Rory Townsend of PedalHeaven-RT who put in a blistering ride and went almost two minutes clear by himself.
That was in spite of some hefty climbs, tough conditions and often poor road surface.
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Indeed, the 180-kilometre race has been likened to a Belgian classic but with 50 kilometres to go, Townsend started to fade and his advantage tumbled.
Dunne, meanwhile, kept himself right in the front all day and waited for the right moment to hit out.
Four riders clipped away inside 25 kilometres to go but the Irishman decided against going with them.
Alas, that move came to nought and Dunne's chances of success increased ever more.
Russell Downing (JLT-Condor) was next to try his luck and he attempted a long one around the 10k to-go mark before he too was reabsorbed.
Nicolas Verecken (An Post Chainreaction) and a Madison Genesis rider had one last throw of the dice but they got reeled in.
And then Dunne struck out – much like he did when he won the opening stage of the An Post Rás in 2013 while riding for the Tipperary-Carrick Wheelers team.
And just like then, he was victorious here too and the win sets him up nicely for the upcoming Tour de Yorkshire.
Not since Ciarán Power took victory in 2008 has an Irish rider won the Rutland-Melton International CiCLEClassic.
Also in action today were the An Post Chainreaction trio of Damien Shaw, David Montgomery and Jack Wilson.
We'll have more on this and an interview with Dunne later.
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