Leinster Road Race Champs: Kenny wins battle with Mullen and Rafferty

*Jason Kenny has won the Leinster Road Race Championships, doubling as the Traders Cup, in Co Louth promoted by Cuchulainn Cycling Club (File photo courtesy John Coleman)*

Jason Kenny has claimed the A1 Leinster road race title after proving best in the three-man move that fought it out for victory in Commons, Co Louth, today.

The UCD Cycling Club rider got clear with Sean Mullen (Navan Road Club) and Aaron Rafferty Bohermeen CC in the main event, which doubled as the Cuchulainn CC Traders Cup.

Once that three-man move made it all the way to the finish, Kenny was guaranteed the A1 title as Mullen and Rafferty are both A2s. However, Kenny was determined to win the race outright, though Mullen put in a very strong move late in the contest that put the eventual winner to the test.

With 10km to race today before reaching the 20km circuit for four laps, the start was characterised by plenty of attacking. Eventual winner Kenny was able to work with his brother and team mate, Rhys, to ensure one of them either joined the threatening attacks or helped chase them down.

Though it took some time for the winning move to go clear, when it went after about an hour of racing Jason Kenny was there along with Mullen and Rafferty. That trio shared the workload until the last 5km, when the attacks began from the lead group.

Mullen jumped hard with about 1km to go and got a gap on his two rivals. However, Kenny then attacked Rafferty, getting away from him and just catching Mullen short of the line, before passing him to win.

That top three result meant Kenny won the A1 title while Mullen and Rafferty took gold and silver in the A2 Leinster champs.

Rhys Kenny then came through for silver in the A1 champs,
giving UCD Cycling Club a 1-2, with Tilt Taluma (St Tiernans CC) claiming the
bronze.

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In the A2 category, Shane Coll (Jons Drogheda Wheelers)
rounded out the podium after breakaway men Mullen and Rafferty had taken gold
and silver.

The women’s title went to Yvonne Doran (Orwell Wheelers);
claiming the gold from Catherine Mahoney (UCD Cycling Club) and Emma
Desmond (Spellman- Dublin Port).

In the junior category, Irish international Eoghan Cooke (Ounavarra CC) took the Leinster title from Ruairi Woods (Lakeside Wheelers) and Michael Flaherty (Lakeside Wheelers).