Harvey Barnes, Adam Doherty and Odhran Doogan lead Ras na n'Óg after first stages

Just one of the strong riders competing at Rás na n'Óg this weekend, PJ Doogan is hunting down U14 leader Aaron Doherty on the final stage today, Sunday.

By Brian Canty

After the opening two stages of the U16 race at Rás na nÓg, it’s Harvey Barnes of East Tyrone CC who leads the way from Rory Dunne of Iverk Produce-Carrick Wheelers.

But Barnes, who was fourth in the Ciclisport Grand Prix last weekend, will have to hold off the challenge of the rest of the field on today’s final hilly road stage.

Conor McCann of Inspired Cycling is lurking with intent in third place and he’ll be there or thereabouts in today’s final outing of the weekend.

Yesterday’s racing featured a crit and a road stage. The crit was a 2.61 kilometre lap of Donore followed by a lumpy 6.32 kilometre loop for the road stage, which was completed six times.

Today’s final stage is 56 kilometres in length; seven laps of an eight kilometre lap with one drag each time.

The U14 race is also a very closely contested affair and is currently being led by Aaron Doherty of Covey Wheelers from PJ Doogan (Errigal CC) and Adam Ward (Omagh Wheelers).

Interestingly, the latter two were second and third respectively in the Ciclisport GP last weekend but both will look to go better today.

They’ll cover four laps of the same eight kilometre loop as the U16s.