Jack Wilson wins U23 title in unusual mid-field sprint from Cormac Clarke & Conor Dunne

From left to right: Conor Dunne takes bronze in the U23 race within the elite contest at the National Road Race Championships, with Cormac Clarke (Newry Wheelers) in second and the winner was Jack Wilson, with his hands up in triumph (Photo: Toby Watson)

The An Post-Chainreaction team may have come away from the National Road and TT Championships empty handed in the elite events, but their man Jack Wilson put in a great ride to take the U23 crown.

Riding in his first year with the Belgian team in 2013, the former National Junior Champion was selected for the Irish team for the U23 World Road Championships last year and has already competed at that level again in the Nations Cups races this year.

And today he used his sprinting kick well, to take the U23 national title at just the second time of asking.

Wilson edged out Cormac Clarke into the silver medal position, though the Newry Wheelers first-year U23 put in a magnificent ride today and is really emerging to the fore of the young guns starting to mix it in the elite races at home.

Rás stage winner and yellow jersey wearer, Conor Dunne (Vl Technics – Abutriek) was forced to settle for the U23 bronze medal.

Having suffered a fractured elbow in the Rás, Dunne has bounced back very well; taking the silver medal in the U23 TT behind Ryan Mullen (IG Sigma Sport) on Thursday night.

He looked to have the U23 road crown done and dusted in the closing stages today, but he lost his place in the front group when he was dropped on the penultimate lap by the three men who would go on to fill the elite podium - Matt Brammeier, Philip Lavery and Damien Shaw.

U23 National Road Race Result - held within elite race

1st	Espoir	Jack	Wilson	An Post Chainreaction Sean Kelly Team	4:11:45
2nd	Espoir	Cormac	Clarke	Newry Wheelers	Same Time
3rd	Espoir	Conor	Dunne	Vl Technics – Abutriek	Same Time