Kinning and Reilly power to victory on UCI World Cup course in Dublin

*Glenn Kinning wins the combined senior-masters men's race on the UCI Cyclocross World Cup course in Dublin today (Photo: Sean Rowe)*

Glenn Kinning has led a masters clean sweep of the podium on Saturday in the senior-masters men's race on the Sport Ireland Campus in Blanchardstown, Dublin. It was one of the support races promoted ahead of the UCI Cyclocross World Cup round at the venue on Sunday.

In the women's event, it was Aoife Reilly (Dunboyne CC) won claimed victory; leading the way from Doireann Killeen (Orwell Wheelers) and Jean Wilson (Orwell Wheelers).

How the men's race unfolded

While the senior and masters riders were in the same race - the masters starting at the back of the field - it was the best of those experienced masters riders who led the way in the mud on a bitterly cold day for racing in the Irish capital.

Kinning (Kinning Cycles) ran out the winner from cyclocross masters champion Alan Bingham (Newry Wheelers) with Marc Flavin (Dungarvan CC) in 3rd place. Then came the first of the senior men to finish; Eoin Ahern of Orwell Wheelers 4th across the line in the five-lap event.

In what became the battle for victory on the day, it was the ever-green Bingham who got the best start; slipping away from Kinning and moving through the senior field before hitting the front of the race to lead it from very early on.

However, Kinning also soon picked his way through the traffic, passing the seniors and setting off in pursuit of Bingham. He quickly closed the gap to him, with Flavin and Ahern behind and trying to stay in the mix.

Clockwise from top left: Alan Bingham, in his Masters 40 Irish champion's kit on his way to 2nd place in the men's race; Rob Jennings of Lucan CRC gets a new bike in the pits; the Bikeworx Celbridge crew after the battle of Abbottstown; Aoife Reilly on her way to winning the women's race (Photos by Sean Rowe)

By the end of the second lap, Kinning had established daylight between himself and his nearest challengers. And while the gap back to Bingham was very small, it was clearly a two-horse race for victory on the day. Kinning had just five seconds on Bingham at the end of 'lap 3' - in reality two full laps - though Flavin and Ahern were already two minutes down.

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The eventual winner then put down a proper deposit on race victory on the penultimate lap - stealing 15 seconds on Bingham while Flavin and Ahern slipped further back. And on the final passage of the circuit, Kinning made sure of his win by distancing Bingham by another 16 seconds.

In the end, after 39 minutes of racing, Kinning beat Bingham to victory by 36 seconds while Flavin was 3rd at 3:24 and Ahern placed 4th, just seven further seconds back. Des Woods of Newry Wheelers was 5th at 3:42, and the first Masters 50 rider in the race. Ronan Killeen (Lucan CRC) was 6th at 4:39 on a day of big gaps in very challenging conditions.

How the women's race went

It was eventual runner-up in the women's race, Killeen, who got the slightly better start, just edging ahead of winner on the day, Reilly. However, the order of those placings at the head of affairs was short-lived.

On the first full lap of three, Reilly powered her way into a clear lead and the destination of the victory already looked certain, barring major incident. At the end of the first full lap, Reilly already had 1:06 to spare over Killeen.

*Aoife Reilly of Dunboyne Cycling Club wins the women's race (Photo: Sean Rowe)*

Behind the leading duo, Wilson was 3rd and Sally Drennan (Midleton CTC) was running 4th with Elizabeth Kent (Arcane Cycling Team) and Sinead Rock (Midelton CTC) in a battle for 5th and 6th. Once the women's race had settled into its flow, the gaps through the field were significant on a muddy course with long straights, where strength really counted.

With two laps completed, and just one remaining to race, Reilly was just 3:36 up on Killeen. Wilson was 4:07 behind the lone leader - but having closed right up to Killeen. Drennan was a further minute down the course in 4th.

On the final lap, Reilly knew she had it won and eased back a little, running out the winner, after 37 minutes of racing, by 5:01 from Killeen. Wilson was at 5:56 and took the final place on the podium. Drennan was 4th at 6:58, while Kent completed the top five at 7:43.

Tomorrow morning it will be the turn of the junior riders to get the ball rolling in their races, which are not World Cup events. And then comes the big show - the pro women's and men's races - on the day the stars of the UCI Cyclocross World Cup come to town.