Jody Wright Phoenix Cycling Club wins Autumn Classic 2019 | Sticky Bottle

*Jody Wright gets his hands in the air at the Autumn Classic; pushing on solo from a very strong breakaway to take his first A1 win after threatening for a long time (Photo: Sean Rowe)*

Jody Wright has taken victory in the Autumn Classic in
Bellewstown, Co Meath, after an aggressive ride.

The Phoenix CC man has been one of the strongest riders
on the home scene in recent years but his win today was his first as an A1.

Wright broke clear in a four-man group that escaped the
A1-A2 scratch group early in the contest as it chased the A3 limit riders.

As the race was run over seven laps of a very undulating
course, the groups split to pieces almost immediately the racing began.

Wright made his first key move on the opening lap when he
went clear with James Davenport (Strata 3-VeloRevolution) and Cian May (Lucan
CRC).

That trio pressed on and opened a gap before being joined
by May’s team mate, and last year’s race winner, Dermot Trulock.

The four riders knuckled down and were first to catch the
A3 group at around the halfway point of the race, though the group behind
continued to ride.

*Dermot Trulock leads the breakaway from James Davenport, Cian May and eventual winner Wright (Photo: Sean Rowe)*

*May grimaces on the climb as Wright readies himself to pounce (Photo: Sean Rowe)*

*Out of Belfast: The Phoenix CC man heads to a solo win in the Drogheda Wheelers promotion (Photo: Sean Rowe)*

The A1 breakaway proved too strong for the A3s when they
caught them; riding through them and establishing again as the race breakaway
out front of the race.

With two Lucan CRC men in the breakaway, Davenport and
Wright appeared to have an unspoken agreement not to close down each other’s
attack.

And when the jumping began up front even before the last
lap began, it was Wright who managed to break free just as the final circuit
began.

Related News

Lara Gillespie attacks Dolomite stage as Giro hits high mountains

Video - Italy's hero Balsamo mobbed mid-stage during Giro TT

While he got a gap it was not more than between 15 to 30
seconds during the final lap, ensuring Wright had to stay fully committed.

In the closing stages it was Davenport who managed to get
clear of the Lucan duo and he set off in pursuit of the lone leader.

However, while Davenport closed up a little on his own,
Wright had enough in the tank to keep it going and take victory.

Davenport finished a few seconds later in 2nd place,
closely followed by May and Turlock in that order.

Young Michael McGlynn of Omagh Wheelers used his climbing
ability to good effect to come through for 5th, with Aaron Rafferty of
Bohermeen CC in 6th place.

The A4 race was won by Tim Downing (Clontarf CC) from Loughlin Campion (Ashbourne
Wheelers) and Alexandru Florea (Dublin wheelers).

The racing today was promoted by Drogheda Wheelers; the
Louth club deserving praise for stepping in – not for the first time – and putting
on racing to offset race cancellations.