U16 riders claim victories in senior races at Hugo Loughran Cup

*Aine Doherty, an U16 rider, comes into the finish to take victory in the senior women's race ahead of Ciara Havern (Photo: Sharon McFarland)*

The senior races at the Hugo Loughran Cup last night were won by U16 riders; Aine Doherty of VG Glendale proving best in the women's event and Patrick Casey (East Bradford Road Club) winning the A3-Junior race.

The U16 riders were allowed into the events, promoted by Island Wheelers, as it was a selection race for the best Irish youth cyclists.

Doherty came to the line with senior Ciara Havern (Newry Wheelers) in a two-up sprint for victory, with the teenager winning it comfortably. After they battled it out for victory, another two riders finished together in the fight for 3rd; Darcey Harkness (VC Glendale) beating Aliyah Rafferty, an U16 rider with host club Island Wheelers.

In the A3-Junior race, Casey won solo after breaking clear of the peloton and putting in a very strong ride to hold off the bunch by a considerable margin. The sprint for 2nd place was won by Seth Dunwoody, with the Shelbourne Orchard rider making it a 1-2 for the U16s.

Related News

Lara Gillespie attacks Dolomite stage as Giro hits high mountains

Video - Italy's hero Balsamo mobbed mid-stage during Giro TT

Darragh Doherty rounded out the podium in a strong night for VC Glendale, with Jamie Moss (Ballymena Road Club) in 4th place and Keith Raymond (AB Tech Chain Driven) in 5th.

The winner and runner-up of that A3-Junior race - Casey and Dunwoody - were in the news last weekend when they rode in a two-man breakaway for 60km in the U16 Noel Teggart Memorial. They caught and passed the A3-Junior bunch for five minutes before overhauling and passing the breakaway in that race.

The A4 race at the Hugo Loughran last night came down to a bunch sprint won by Fearghal Kelly (Phoenix CC) from Ciaran Bennet (Harps CC) and Scott Lewis (VC Glendale).