Paul Kennedy (Newcastlewest CC), right, is clearly in very good form at the moment and he won the opening stage of the Stafford Wholesale Wexford Two Day from Eoin O’Connell of Killarney CC (Photo: Sean Rowe)
By Brian Canty
Paul Kennedy has won the opening stage of the Stafford Wholesale Wexford Wheelers Two Day; the Newcastlewest CC man taking a two-up sprint from Eoin O’Connell (Killarney CC).
Those two had broken away from a larger break of around a dozen riders that escaped in the early stages of the 112-kilometre contest in Camross, Co Wexford.
They came to the line in soaking wet conditions with O’Connell leading it out – appearing to be riding only for time - before Kennedy came around him for his biggest win.
Kennedy will wear the yellow jersey into this evening’s hill-climb time-trial but will do well to hold it against a man of O’Connell’s strength.
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The race was marred by an early crash that blocked the road for a spell but it gave enough time for a dozen or so to escape off the front and not be seen again.
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Mark Dowling (ASEA-Wheelworx) was one of the big casualties and he abandoned soon afterwards.
The inclement weather didn’t help matters and the crash came at a time when the racing was full-on.
O’Connell was off the front when the spill occurred and he was joined from behind by a clutch of others who rolled through until around 40 kilometres to go.
The Killarney CC man, a winner of the Paddy Flanagan Memorial, the John Drumm Cup as well as the Ballinrobe Two Day took flight, taking Kennedy with him.
Some of those left behind were Cathal Moynihan (Tralee Manor West/iBike), Cathal Purcell (Panduit Carrick Wheelers), Constantine Bartels (Waterford Racing Club) as well as representation from Lucan CRC, UCD-Fitzcycles.ie and Dunboyne.
O’Connell and Kennedy were around two minutes ahead of some five riders with the next group several minutes further back.
We will have full results of all races later this evening.
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