A delighted Ronan McLaughlin comes home for victory in Burt after attacking the breakaway in the main event (Photo: Marian Lamb - Cycling Ulster)
Ronan McLaughlin opened his account for 2015 when he came in alone at the end of the St Patrick’s Day Potato Race in Burt, Co Donegal.
The former An Post-Chainreaction rider, who departed full time cycling the year before last, was too strong for the breakaway on the tough finale at the end of the 55 mile contest.
With the event open to A1, A2 and A3 riders, the attacks came thick and fast from the gun.
And because the riders had too loops of an undulating circuit to contest, it never looked like it would come down to a bunch sprint.
Carn Wheelers put the power down on the front of the breakaway as it pulls away from the main field (Photo: Marian Lamb - Cycling Ulster)
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While a number of the early moves were snuffed out by determined chasing in the early stages, it was not long before a quality group pulled clear.
They combined well together and built up an insurmountable lead, never to be seen by the rest of the field again.
In that move were Conor McIlwaine (AAA), Jordan McGinley (iTap), Niall O'Hagan (Ballymoney CC), McLaughlin (Foyle CC), Mark Millar (Velo Cafe Magasin) and Ivan Reid (Omagh Wheelers).
Carn Wheelers had three men in the move in the shape of Jonny Taylor, Joseph McCrory and Eunan McAleese.
Darnell Moore leads the escape; he had a great cyclocross season during winter and was good enough for 2nd place today (Photo: Marian Lamb - Cycling Ulster)
Caldwell Cycles Omagh were represented by Darnell and Calvin Moore, with Gary Donaldson of Omagh Wheelers also present.
While there was plenty of action in the bunch as many riders tried to get some chasing groups started, team mates of the men already up the road were policing those efforts.
McLaughlin took the initiative in attacking the others in the escape and went clear on his own to take what looked like a comfortable win.
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The breakaway behind probably expected to reel him in on the tough finish but they had to be content with surviving to contest the minor placings.
Conor McCarroll of Clogher Valley Wheelers, on the right in red and white, takes the A4 event in a bunch sprint (Photo: Marian Lamb - Cycling Ulster)
Darnell Moore was best of the rest, taking 2nd place from McCrory, Taylor, Millar and O’Hagan.
The separate A4 event was run over 35 miles and came down to a bunch sprint.
Conor McCarroll (Clogher Valley Wheelers) was too quick for the rest, with Mark Gallagher (Four Masters) 2nd and Joe Gallagher (Omagh Wheelers) rounding out the podium.
Joanne Regan (Termoneeny CC) took the women’s prize.
In the Masters event, the honours were also decided in a bunch sprint. Brian Doherty (Bann Wheelers) got the verdict from Martin Ruddy (Ballymena CRC) and Shaun Sweeney (Errigal CC).
St Patrick's Day Potato Race
Burt, Co Donegal
Promoted by North Pole CC
A1-A2-A3 Race
1. Ronan McLaughlin (Foyle CC)
2. Darnell Moore (Caldwell Cycles)
3. Joseph McCrory (Carn Wheelers)
4. Jonny Taylor (Carn Wheelers)
5. Mark Millar (Velo Cafe Magasin)
6. Niall O'Hagan (Ballymoney CC)
7. Calvin Moore (Caldwell Cycles)
8. Ivan Reid (Omagh Wheelers)
9. Jordan McGinley(ITAP)
10. Gary Donaldson (Omagh Wheelers)
A4 Race
1. Conor McCarroll (Clogher Valley Wheelers)
2. Mark Gallagher (Four Masters)
3. Joe Gallagher (Omagh Wheelers)
4. Eamon Doherty (Foyle CC)
5. John Wallace (AAA)
6. Tony McKeown (Square Wheels)
7. Tom Dunleavy (Donegal Bay CC)
8. Damien Reid (Donegal Bay CC)
Women's Prize
1. Joanne Regan (Termoneeny CC)
2. Julie Mulligan (Strule Wheelers)
3. Margaret Kelly (Four Masters)
4. Alison Devine (Four Masters)
Masters Race
1. Brian Doherty (Bann Wheelers)
2. Martin Ruddy (Ballymena CRC)
3. Shaun Sweeney (Errigal CC)
4. Liam O'Connor (Bann Valley)
5. Jim Donnelly (Foyle CC)
6. Eamon Toland (Strabane Lifford)
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