Mike Storan takes Clare County Championship from Vinnie Gleeson with last gasp attack

Mike Storan took the Clare County Championships with a late move on the Barefield-Maghera circuit last night; seen here in action earlier this year (Photo: www.blackumbrellaphotography.com)

Mike Storan (Planet Tri) took the Clare Cycling Championships last night, Wednesday, after a hard fought contest on the 60 kilometre Barefield-Maghera circuit.

The 40 riders to sign on were set off in three groups, with the A4s having 1:30 over the A3s, who were given 1 minute on the combined A1/A2 scratch group.

Despite the best efforts of Dolmen’s John Colleran to keep the A4s away, the groups merged after 25km with the first attack coming from European duathlon medallist, Paddy Quinn.

Storan and the Burren’s Mark Shannon bridged over to Quinn and this trio got 25 seconds over the summit at Maghera.

When it all came together on the descent, there were countless attacks on the road from Lough Cutra to Barefield.

Gary McDonald (Visit Nenagh-DMG) put in a promising looking effort but was reeled in, with Storan and Shannon getting away again and Russell to the fore in bringing them back.

Limerick CC’s Aidan Gallery then went on one of his many attacks before McDonald and Stephen Teeling-Lynch (Rothaíochta na Sionainna/Go Tri) got a few seconds, only to be caught on the flyover north of Barefield, 700 metres from the finish.

West Clare’s Vinnie Gleeson then made what looked like a winning move but his gap was quickly bridged by Storan, who attacked and held a three second gap to the line to take the title.

Gleeson took the silver, followed by Eoin O’ Donoghue of Limerick CC in the bronze medal position.

John Colleran was rewarded for his work driving the A4 train, making it into fourth place. West Clare’s Jack O’Shea and Dolmen’s Aidan Considine took 5th and 6th respectively.

The race was sponsored by Cahill Insurance.

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