Sean Downey on the attack in Belgian Beverbeek Classic; Jack Wilson debuts well

Jack Wilson (in blue; centre of photo) leads An Post’s Sam Bennett & Sean Downey

Mark McNally may have been a late addition to the An Post-Sean Kelly squad for today’s Beverbeek Classic (UCI 1.2) in Belgium but he was the team’s best performer, getting away in a late breakaway and taking 7^th place.

McNally was called in at the last minute to replace Connor McConvey who had not made a sufficient recovery from flu to race today.

In what was the team’s opening race of the season in Belgium, Sean Downey was 39^th and Sam Bennett 125^th; both finishing in the main bunch just a few seconds down on winner Tom Van Asbroeck (Topsport Vlaanderen-Mercator).

Downey was active today and was up the road a number of times only to be recaptured after short escapes. It was a good start on Belgian roads for Downey, who was clearly strong today and rode with confidence.

Former Irish national junior champion Jack Wilson, riding his first race as a senior for his Belgian ‘Ucs Crabbé Performance VOO’ team, rode well to finish in the bunch. It was a good performance for an 18-year-old only starting to learn the ropes at senior level.

While Sam Bennett will perhaps be a little disappointed not to have been in the mix in the finale, he has also been struck down by flu and only returned to training midweek after a week off the bike.

He was visible at the head of the peloton for much of today; clearly enjoying strong legs despite not figuring in the closing stages.

The other Irish man in the field, Mark Cassidy, was not listed among the finishers.

The race, a 179km flat route in the Limburg area, was televised live for the first time this year and attracted a slightly better field, including development squads from Lotto and Rabobank.

After furious attacking throughout, during which a number of groups went clear only to be reeled in, it was not until the bunch was on its seven laps of the 8.2km finish circuit that the decisive group went clear.

Much of the damage was done by the GB Endura Racing team, with An Post’s McNally getting into a ten-man group in the closing laps, the rear of which was just about caught on the line. McNally held on for seventh. Ian Wilkinson and Alex Blain were second and third for Endura Racing behind winner Van Asbroeck.

Result
1 Tom Van Asbroeck Topsport Vlaanderen – Mercator 04:09:00
2 Ian Wilkinson Endura Racing @ same time
3 Alexandre Blain Endura Racing @ same time
4 Justin Van Hoecke Wallonie Bruxelles – Crédit Agricole @ same time
5 Reinier Honig Landbouwkrediet – Euphony @ same time
6 Matthias Allegaert Ovyta – Eijssen Acrog @ same time
7 Mark Mcnally An Post-Sean Kelly @ same time
8 Dries Hollanders Metec Cycling Team @ same time
9 Julien Stassen Forem – Actiris @ same time
10 Johan Coenen Team Differdange @ same time
25 Roy Jans An Post-M.Donnelly-Grant Thornton
30 Joren Segers An Post-Sean Kelly @ 5 secs
39 Sean Patrick Downey An Post-Sean Kelly @ 8 secs
45 Jack Wilson Ucs Crabbé Performance VOO @ same time
55 Kenneth Vanbilsen An Post-Sean Kelly
125 Sam Bennett An Post-Sean Kelly