Daire Feeley (All human-VeloRevolution) counted on all his experience today to win the headline event at the Life Credit Union Newbridge GP in Co Kildare after the winning breakaway split late in the contest only to regroup.
The Rás Tailteann champion, who opened his account at the Seamus Kennedy Memorial in Co Meath last weekend, was matched all the way today by Conn McDunphy (Lucan CRC), until getting the better of his rival and two others in the final sprint to the line.
In the women's race, Irish tandem pilot international, Linda Kelly (Spin the Bean), was best, also from a breakaway. There were wins at the Newbridge Cycling Club promotion for some of the strongest teenagers on the Irish cycling scene at present.
Junior rider Oisin Ferrity (Caldwell Cycles) was best from a breakaway in the A2 race while fellow junior Liam O'Brien (Fermoy CC) claimed victory in the A3-Junior race.
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The main event of the day, for A1s, unfolded over six laps of the 17.2km circuit, with the field splitting to pieces on what was a windy day for racing. Early in the contest a 12-man group broke clear with eventual winner and runner-up - Feeley and McDunphy - present.
Also in that breakaway were, among others: Luke Smith (Moynalty CC), Conal Scully (Dan Morrissey-Primór by Pissei), Ronan Grimes (Orwell Wheelers), Ronan Killeen (Lucan CRC), Tim O’Regan (All human VeloRevolution), last weekend's Mick Lally Memorial winner Paul Kennedy (Burren Cycling Club), Jason Kenny (UCD Cycling Club) and Matthew Devins (Dan Morrissey-Primór by Pissei).
As that group was large, and contained so many riders capable of winning the race, the cooperation within it was poor, with attacks being fired off the front from a long way out. With about two laps remaining, Feeley attacked and forced what would prove to be the decisive split.
McDunphy was with him, along with Kenny and the evergreen Killeen; making for a very strong four-man move that was not caught by the chasers. While they initially worked well to establish a gap over the chasing group, the attacks began from the front group as the final lap started.
Close to the finish, Feeley and McDunphy managed to get clear of Kenney and Killeen, though that duo caught the two leaders before the finish. That made for a four-up sprint for victory, into a headwind. Feeley got the verdict from McDunphy, Killeen and Kenny, in that order.
Devins proved best of the rest to take 5th place with O'Regan 6th, Kennedy 7th, Smith 8th, Scully 9th and paracycling world and European champion Grimes rounding out the top 10.
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In the women's race, Linda Kelly prevailed from a breakaway after three passages of the circuit, which also split her race to pieces. With one lap completed, a five-rider group had forged clear and would not be seen for the rest of the race by any of those chasing behind.
With Kelly in that group were Jennifer Neenan (Newcastlewest Wheelers), Cleo Harvey (Dublin Wheelers), Yvonne Doran (Orwell Wheelers) and Jane Cullen (Spin the Bean). About half way through the second lap, Kelly took flight on her own and managed to get clear.
Though there was over 20km remaining, she put her head down and rode for the line. She took the victory, by about two minutes, over a chase group comprised of three of the original breakaway. Harvey won the sprint for 2nd place from Neenan and Doran. Hannah Hayes (TC Racing) won the sprint for 5th place from a small chasing group.
In the A2 race, Oisin Ferrity emerged best after five laps of racing to take his second win of the year after also claiming victory last weekend at the Seamus Kennedy Memorial. After about two laps of racing today a large breakaway, of about 10 riders, broke clear and remained intact until the final lap.
In that move, with national junior road race champion Ferrity, were Peter Kirwan (Lucan CRC), John Holland (Velo Club Balrothery), Matthew Hoare (Roadman CC), Vytautas Dudonis (Unattached), Quillan Donnelly (Usher Irish Road Club), James McEnaney (Moynalty CC), Ruairi Byrne (UCD Cycling Club), Eoin Kelly (UCD Cycling Club) and Damien Culhane (Newcastle West).
On the final lap, Ferrity was active in the attacks and got clear with the UCD CC team mates Byrne and Kelly. However, while the students tried to work over Ferrity, he absorbed that pressure to stay with them, taking victory in a sprint from Byrne and Kelly.
Another junior international, Donnelly, came through to claim 4th place with McEnaney 5th and Culhane rounding out the top six on the day.
The A3-Junior race was won by Liam O’Brien (Fermoy Cycling Club) from junior riders Samuel Coleman (Team 31 Jollycycles U19) and last weekend's winner of the A3-A4 race at the Annaclone GP, Darragh Doherty (Flanders Color Defever Team).
Junior rider O'Brien was taking his second win of the season after an impressive long-range solo move secured him victory at the Seamus Kennedy last weekend. Today in Kildare, O'Brien again won solo. He initially got clear in a breakaway of about 10 riders before breaking away on his own on the last lap for victory.
In the A4 race, Sam Cleary (Drogheda Wheelers) won in a bunch sprint from Kieran Fitzgerald (Marble City Cyclers) and Ronan Forde (All human-VeloRevolution). Jared Tritschier (Greenmount CA) placed 4th with Colm Bellew (Clontarf CC) in 5th and Dean Wilson (Deenside Wheelers) rounding out the top six.
For results of the races, please follow this link.
