Christopher McGlinchey held off Jake Gray in a very tight finish for victory in Donegal on St Patrick's Day; both riders having been named on different Irish teams in recent days. Above, McGlinchey in action last week (Photo: Toby Watson)
Having been named midweek in the Irish team that will take on the field in Kerry Group Rás Mumhan at Easter, Chris McGlinchey has celebrated with his first win of the season.
The Chainreaction man got the verdict at the main event of the 'Potato Races' in Burt, Co Donegal, promoted by the North Pole CC.
And it was another man named on an Irish team in recent days, junior Jake Gray, who pushed him closest at the finish today, Thursday.
The ever impressive Gray, of NRPT-Magnet.ie, will ride junior Gent Wevelgem in Belgium in 10 days and was very much to the fore in Donegal.
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But he was forced to settle for the runner-up spot when McGlinchey beat him by just half a wheel on the line.
They sprinted in for 1st and 2nd just ahead of the others in the breakaway, with Conor Halvey (Errigal CC) rounding out the podium.
It is worth noting that Halvey is still an U16 rider and though 3rd was a very good result from him today, the strength of his riding against the elites throughout the race was most impressive.
The field raced from Burt towards Letterkenny for around 17km and turned onto a 20km loop which they completed twice before racing back to Burt.
The decisive action began on the first of the two circuits when a group of five broke clear, with eventual winner McGlinchey riding across to them.
In that group was Halvey, Gray, Ali Gibson (Carn Wheelers), Aaron Swan (Ballymoney CC) and another rider, with Ronan McLaughlin (Foyle CC) catching them late in the race.
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The escape combined their efforts well for a period until McGlinchey and Gray escaped and stayed clear for almost ¾ of a lap before the others caught them again.
Once they were recaptured the breakaway again combined well until around 8km remained and thoughts of the finish began to set in.
In the end it came down to a sprint from the escape, with McGlinchey timing his effort to perfection and coming away with victory.
St Patrick's Day Potato Races
March 17th: Burt, Co Donegal
Promoted by North Pole CC
A1-A2-A3 Race
1. Chris McGlinchey (ChainReaction)
2. Jake Gray (NRPT-Magnet.ie)
3. Conor Halvey (Errigal CC)
4. Aaron Swan (Ballymoney CC)
5. Ronan McLaughlin (Foyle CC)
6. Ali Gibson (Carn Wheelers)
A4 Race
1. Cormac McLaughlin (Lakeland CC)
2. George Peden (Ballymoney CC)
3. Mark Gallagher (Four Masters CC
4. David Lavery (Banbridge CC)
5. Diarmuid O'Donnell (Foyle CC)
6. Gary Walker (TMCC)
Women's Race
1. Kathleen Smyth (Madigan CC)
2. Claire O'Neill (Square Wheels)
3. Mairead McCrory (Carn Wheelers)
Masters Race
1. Robert Curry (Foyle CC)
2. Sammy McFadden (Foyle CC)
3. Tom Henry (North Down CC)
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