Results Tour of Ards: Conn McDunphy scalps top quality riders

Results Tour of Ards: Conn McDunphy scalps top quality riders

A delighted Conn McDunphy takes his second win of the year after romping in solo at the Tour of Ards. He also won the Boyne GP just two weeks ago (All photos by David McVeigh - The Belgian Project)

Conn McDunphy has stormed home at the head of a group containing some real quality to win the Tour of Ards on a fantastic day for racing.

With the sun shining and spring definitely in the air, McDunphy finished just four seconds ahead of the large group just behind.

Conn McDunphy’s big mileage hard winter since October paying off

It left him with plenty of time to celebrate another impressive win having taken victory in the Boyne GP in Co Meath the Sunday before last.

McDunphy was clear with Marc Potts (Neon Velo) and Mark O’Callaghan (Aqua Blue Academy) after the climb on the final lap.

Roger Aiken leads the peloton, which contained many of the best riders on the home scene.

However, they were caught with around 8km to the finish, after which a tactical and cagey period followed.

McDunphy waited until the field was about 4km from the finish and he took flight once again, this time on his own.

He committed fully to the escape and managed to hold them off with a good surge at the end of a hard race.

McDunphy establishing himself as top rider

Conn McDunphy is one of a number of young Lucan CRC riders now making their presence felt on the home scene with both their aggression and their results.

Today he bested a group led home by Matteo Cigala (Aqua Blue Academy) who currently tops the A1 Cycling Ireland rankings.

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Cigala is hitting very good form and took his first win of the season in Carrick-on-Suir on St Patrick's Day.

And relegating the former Italian U23 international to 2nd place today is a feather in McDunphy's cap, though he looks destined for a breakthrough season.

Today’s 140km contest was run off at an average speed of 27 miles per hour. In the group behind the lone winner, Lindsay Watson (Plush MTB) was 3^rd just behind Cigala.

They were followed by Chris McGlinchey, Craig Rea, and Roger Aiken.