Milo Donaldson takes Kerry County Road Race Champs in Knocknagoshel

*Milo Donaldson of Killarney Cycling Club is the new Kerry men's senior road race champion after using his form to take gold in Knocknagoshel (Photo: Sean Rowe)*

Milo Donaldson is the new Kerry road race champion for 2024, the Killarney Cycling Club rider adding victory in the county championships to the impressive solo victory he took in the Galway Classic earlier this month.

Over an eight-lap course in Knocknagoshel - for a total race distance of 64.9km, Donaldson was best in the main event after initiating the first breakaway and then responding when Padraig O’Sullivan (Newcastle West Cycling Club) lit it up much later in the race.

Ben O'Keefe (Spellman Dublin Port) winning the men's junior crown and Kate Murphy (Sliabh Luachra Cycling Club) claiming the women's junior gold medal.

Donaldson topped a senior men's podium from Padraig O'Sullivan (Newcastle West Cycling Club), with Vinny O'Leary of promoting club Tralee Manor West BC taking the bronze medal.

The course was an 8km lap with a tough 2.5km climb each time. As it was handicapped, with the masters riders having a four-minute advantage from the start, the scratch group needed to work hard to catch them.

On the fourth passage of the climb, Donaldson attack, which split the bunch. And that action drew clear a six-man breakaway which built an advantage of about 1:30.

With things getting more tactical up front as the race progressed, Padraig O’Sullivan (Newcastle West Cycling Club) attacked on the climb on the last lap, with Donaldson getting across to him.

That duo went to the line together for a two-up scrap for the title, with Donaldson prevailing over O'Sullivan before O'Leary proved best of the rest for the bronze medal.

More to come.

Sat, Aug 24th | Kerry County Road Race Championships

Knocknagoshel, Co Kerry

Promoted by Tralee Manor West CC

Michael Blackwell Memorial Perpetual Cup