Sean Yelverton has taken his second win in two weeks, beating fellow breakaway man Michael O'Loughlin to the line on the opening stage of the A2-A3-Junior race at the Kanturk Three Day. Above, in action in Carrick-on-Suir earlier this year (Photo: John Coleman – Dc Images)
Sean Yelverton has won the opening stage of the A2-A3-Junior race at the Kanturk Three Day.
Riding for the Munster Academy team, the teenager led home on a sodden and cold day from the in-form junior Michael O’Loughlin (NRPT-Magnet.ie).
The duo had escaped a large front group, building a significant lead and managing to hold on by around 25 seconds at the finish.
O’Loughlin rode for time coming into the finish and when the cat and mouse started for the stage win inside the last 1km, he found himself on the front with Yelverton sitting in behind.
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The Mego Racing Team and former Limerick CC man, who has been in very good form lately, jumped O’Loughlin with around 300 metres remaining and led out the sprint all the way up the slight incline to the finish.
He managed to hold off O’Loughlin, who crossed the line on his wheel, with both clocking the same time.
Some 25 seconds would elapse before a group of a dozen riders came home sprinting for the minor placings, with what remained of the bunch and several smaller groups scattered over a long distance back the road.
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It was a fantastic win for Yelverton who took an even stronger solo victory at the VisitNenagh Classic two weeks ago.
On that occasion he led home the A3 event to take his second ever victory in an open race, taking his third today just a fortnight later.
However, while he takes the lead into tomorrow’s 8km time trial, he will start the stage on equal time with O’Loughlin.
The Carrick 18-year-old was 8th as a first year junior in the time trial at the World Road Championships last September in Spain.
O’Loughlin has taken a number of very strong wins already this year, escaping with Darragh O’Mahony (Munster) on the opening stage of the Gorey Three Day over Easter and losing out on the stage win in the same way as he was beaten by Yelverton today.
However, he stormed away with the next morning’s time trial and held it on the third and fourth road race stages.
And while today belongs to stage winner and race leader Yelverton, young O’Loughlin is loitering with intent in Kanturk.
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