Connor McConvey just after the start of Saturday’s De Vlaamse Pijl
The An Post-Sean Kelly team had a rough time of it in the De Vlaamse Pijl berg-strewn race in Belgium yesterday (Saturday), with just two of its five starters finishing.
Sam Bennett was down to ride but has been sidelined again, apparently as a result of the virus that forced him to miss the Volta ao Algarve last month.
The national U23 champion rode the Beverbeek Classic in Belgium last Saturday and did well to finish in the bunch on what was his first race of the season and his first following his flu illness.
He also rode midweek at the GP Le Samyn in Belgium and was going well until a puncture with 10km to go, followed by a tough chase back on, ended his chances of a result.
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While it was hoped he had fully recovered from his illness, he was feeling unwell again on Friday with a virus and was forced to sit out yesterday’s race.
It’s been a very frustrating start to the season for Bennett, who had wintered well and was looking to secure some good results in the early weeks of 2012.
He will, however, take comfort in the fact that the new campaign is still only in its infancy, with plenty of time for him to get back on track and have a good early season.
In yesterday’s race, three Irishmen took to the start line as part of the An Post-Sean Kelly team; namely Sean Downey, Ronan McLaughlin and Connor McConvey.
Downey and McConvey were non-finishers after 157kms that featured six short sharp bergs, including the cobbled Oude Kwaremont, Paterberg and Kruisberg.
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McLaughlin however put in a great ride and was part of the 48-strong “peloton” that arrived at the finish just behind winner Frederic Amorison (Landbouwkrediet); with bodies littered back the road and the early showers doing steady business through the day.
The Donegal man eventually finished 36th; losing a few seconds as splits appeared in the bunch sprint for second place just three seconds behind Amorison. The winner profited from a late solo attack to win the race for the second consecutive year.
Results Vlaamse Pijl 2012
1. Frederic Amorison (Landbouwkrediet) 3:41:40
2. Steven Caethoven (Accent Jobs) at 3 seconds
3. Boris Dron (Wallonie Bruxelles) same
4. Tim De Troyer (Ovyta-Eijssen) same
5. Antoine Demoitie (Idemasport- Biowanze) same.
6. Robin Stenuit (Wallonie Bruxelles) same
7. Robin Chaigneau (Koga Cycling Team) same
8. Sean De Bie (Ovyta-Eijssen) same
9. Eugenio Alafaci (Leopard Trek Continental) same
10. Kevin Claeys (Landbouwkrediet) same
35. Ronan McLaughlin (Irl) at 6 secs
53. Roy Jans (Bel) at 3:30
DNF. Kenneth Vanbilsen (Bel)
DNF. Sean Downey (Irl)
DNF. Connor McConvey (Irl)
The team being introduced at the start
An Post’s Roy Jans and Kenneth Vanbilsen at the start
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