Gray and Doogan crowned national junior road champions

Jake Gray (NTPT) wins the national junior men's road race championships in Cong, Co Mayo (Photo: www.jimmymcelroy.com – follow Jimmy on Facebook and Twitter)

By Brian Canty

Jake Gray is the new national junior road race champion after winning an epic encounter in Cong, Co Mayo, this afternoon.

The NRPT man was one of the pre-race favourites for the contest and he lived up to that tag with a perfectly-executed race plan.

The Dungannon rider, already an established member of the national team, attacked on the last climb on the 115-kilometre course and left in his wake a number of riders who would battle it out for the remaining places.

Conor McCann of ASEA-Wheelworx was second on the day while Conor Leech of Clonard CC was third in what was the performance of his life.

McCann has had a great weekend and knew he was on for a good ride after last night’s time-trial where he finished sixth.

It was something of a breakthrough ride for Leech; a rider who has been constantly in the results this season and has now shown he can do it against the best when it matters.

The national champs always produce a top performance from an emerging rider and the young Clonard man was certainly that on this occasion.

The women’s race was won by Ciara Doogan who followed up her time-trial win last night.