JB Murphy goes deep to rescue Gorey yellow at the death
JB Murphy in the peloton on the final stage of the Gorey. He has won the race in impressive fashion, holing the lead all the way (All photos by Sean Rowe)
By Brian Canty
JB Murphy has taken a gun-to-tape victory in the Gorey Three-Day this afternoon. The talented junior from Murphy Surveyors Kilcullen preserved the yellow jersey he took on Saturday in some style.
He had it all to do today as there were eight riders separated by less than 49 seconds at the top of the general classification.
Among those closest to him were Eoghan McLaughlin (NRPT) and Kevin Barclay (Spokes Racing Team) at one and two seconds, respectively.
And with the top five separated by 10 seconds it meant the 10-second time bonus on the line would make things extra spicy.
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There were attacks galore from the drop of the flag but nothing managed to escape initially.
However, Alex Ridehalgh (Spokes Racing Team) and Cian Smails (Cycling Munster) eventually got away.
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Top, Ridehalgh takes a great stage win. Above, the bunch finishes with JB Murphy second in the gallop for 3rd place on the stage.
They slowly built an advantage on the main field which was being patrolled by Murphy and his teammates.
With Smails at 16" overall, he was leader on the road when the margin extended to almost a minute.
And Ridehalgh had plenty to play for as well as he started the day 1’36” down overall.
Inside 10 kilometres to go and it looked like it was slipping from Murphy’s grasp. The two up front rode their hearts out.
Smails needed 16 seconds and it was looking good for him. But with plenty of teams sensing a stage win was there for the taking the pace ramped up.
And in the end it was Ridehalgh who held on for a brilliant stage win with Smails on his wheel.
But just five seconds later came the bunch hurtling across the line with Murphy fifth on the stage and just about holding the jersey.
Four seconds was his margin of victory over Barclay (Spokes Racing Team) with Eoghan McLaughlin (NRPT) slipping to third at seven seconds.
Smails moved up to fourth at eight seconds. And Ridehalgh moved into the top 10, taking ninth overall at 1’27”.
Dillon Corkery (NRPT) ended in the climbers' jersey on 13 points, three clear of yellow jersey winner Murphy. Nicolas Roche PT took the team prize.
Ridehalgh pipped Murphy for the green points jersey courtesy of his final-day heroics. But JB Murphy goes home tonight after joining an elite winners’ list.
We’ll have a word with him as soon as he draws breath.
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