Matthew Walls powered clear of a strong breakaway group to win the main event at the Boyne GP, his first victory since stepping up from the junior ranks (Photo: Sean Meade)
Having looked strong last weekend, but ultimately been left empty-handed from his first races of the season, Matthew Walls (APS Pro Cycling by Team Cadence Cyclery) made it count today in the main event at the Boyne GP in Rathkenny, Co Meath.
Last year's Quanta Capital Junior Tour of Ireland winner got clear in a nine-rider strongman's breakaway in the 96km race promoted by Drogheda Wheelers. And though he was with some very good quality riders, who gained four minutes, Walls made his move on the penultimate lap, before finally shaking off the only rider who went with him.
He won ahead of Ruairí Woods (Burren CC), who had joined the winner in a two-man attack on the penultimate lap, with Lindsay Watson (Caldwell Power House) proving best of the other breakaway men for 3rd place.
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Last year's winner, Ciaran Maguire (Dan Morrissey Pissei Cycling Team), was 4th with Gareth O’Neill (Athlete Nutrition Coach Nordic Labs), who was very aggressive today, taking 5th and Callum McCaffrey (Natural-Greatness-Rali-Ale) rounding out the top six.
Those six riders were part of the winning breakaway that also included Joseph Mullen (Moynalty Cycling Club), looking strong again after some injury issues, as well as Aaron Rafferty (Bohermeen CC) and Bryan McCrystal (Bear Cycling).
The C1 riders today faced six laps of a 16km circuit, with plenty of kickers on the course that gradually wear down the legs and usually bring about splits, especially in these early-season events.
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Walls was attentive around the front from the start, clearly keen to avoid missing the breakaway move, as he did at the Seamus Kennedy Memorial in Navan, Co Meath, last Sunday. There, he spent the day trying to get back on terms with those up ahead.
Though there was plenty of aggression from the start, it took about two laps before some of the moves began to stick and the winning breakaway formed off the front. Once they got together, they got down to their task of pulling out the gap, which grew slowly at first, but just kept getting bigger.
Once the breakaway was established, O'Neill demonstrated his early season condition with repeated attacks, though he was chased each time and not allowed to ride clear.
About halfway around the penultimate lap, after the latest surge forward by O'Neill was brought under control, Walls picked his moment and jumped hard, with Woods getting onto him.
That duo moved clear of the others in the breakaway and were never recaptured. And though Woods did a great ride for 2nd place, Walls was the stronger of the leading pair and got clear solo with less than 2km to go.
He powered in to the finish solo for his first win as an U23 rider and his first for his new US-registered Conti team, APS Pro Cycling by Team Cadence Cyclery, having raced for Lucan CRC until this year.
For full results, please follow this link.
