The field was pounded by the elements in Blarney this evening
By Brian Canty
Paidi O'Brien (Dan Morrissey-Speedy Spokes) added another win to the account for 2012 with a superb show of strength in the Osborne Butchers-sponsored Blarney CC criterium race tonight, Saturday.
O'Brien, who was forced to sit out last week's An Post Rás due to exam commitments, jumped away with Mark Nugent (Waterford Racing CC) after approximately 15 minutes of racing and stayed away to the finish on a rain-soaked 1.3 kilometre circuit just outside Blarney.
The pocket rocket sprinter from Banteer was always going to be the man to watch on the night and even though a string of early escapes proved futile, he showed he had the legs when it mattered. He was comfortable in seeing off Nugent for the dash to the line at the finish.
Advertisement
Local fastman Brendan McLoughlin led in a three-man chase group with Brian Canty (Cork County CC) just behind him while Eddie Barry, who had been aggressive all night despite a gruelling Rás last week was fifth over the line, followed by a reduced bunch.
Indeed, heavy rain made conditions difficult and commissaires made the brave, but correct, decision to reduce the sign-on to just 30 on the night.
Even at that, the pace was lively from the gun with Stephen Halpin (Metaltek Scott) forcing the issue a few times, as did Cork County's Bryan Long and Blarney’s Mickey O'Mahony, the latter being awarded for the most aggressive rider on the night.
Related News
After O'Brien and Nugent jumped away, the gap back to the peloton quickly opened to 22 seconds and stayed like that for the next 10-12 laps. And only then did it start to come down, a combination of some aggressive racing by Blarney as well as several attacks off the front.
At one stage the leading duo came into view, holding just 10 seconds of a gap. But they regained their composure, and that's as close as the men behind came to reeling them in.
Bryan Long made a decent effort to get across, staying between the leading duo and the bunch for up to five laps. But he eventually gave up the ghost and was caught.
Brian O'Connell (Blarney) was next to try, as was Olan Barrett (Fermoy) on a few occasions but each injection was quickly neutralised.
With two laps to go, Eddie Barry took McLoughlin with him in a sudden burst of acceleration which Brian Canty quickly latched onto and with the bunch stalling, they went in pursuit of O'Brien and Nugent. But it was never going to be enough and that's how it finished.
Tomorrow though is the big one in Blarney, in the shape of the Donal Crowley and Kay Stratton Memorials.
RESULTS
1) P O'Brien (Dan Morrissey Speedy Spokes)
2) M Nugent (Waterford Racing CC)
3) B McLoughlin (Blarney CC)
4) B Canty (Wills Wheels Cork County CC)
5) E Barry (Blarney CC)
6) B Griffin (Comeragh CC)
7) B Long (Wills Wheels Cork County CC)
8 F O'Callaghan (Blarney Cc)
9) D Forrest (Blarney CC)
10) B O'Connell (Blarney CC)
Most aggressive Rider: M O'Mahony (Blarney CC)
Topics
