Mark Dowling and Matteo Cigala are 1st and 2nd in the Irish cycling National Road Series. But a number of other men are in contention and have the legs to mount a real challenge. Above, Dowling beats Cigala for the Annaclone GP in the early days of the campaign (Photo: David McVeigh - The Belgium Project)

Irish cycling National Road Series finale looms

With just two rounds remaining in the Irish cycling National Road Series, the race to lift the 2017 men’s title is still wide open.

However, the two men at the top of the standings are showing no signs of tiredness or any dip in form.

Mark Dowling of Strata 3-VeloRevolution leads the way on 118 points. And Matteo Cigala of Aqua Blue Academy is next on 106 points.

Last weekend Dowling smashed his way up The Nire to win the final stage of the Suir Valley Three Day. His time gain was enough to secure the overall title.

And while Cigala could not match that, he was 3rd overall. He also placed 5th on the final stage; a great ride for a man whose sprint is his most potent weapon.

Sean Lacey knows how to win this series. Few would beat against him when he is within striking distance, as he is now (Photo: Jamie Merriman)

There are 40 points on offer for winning each of the final two rounds of the National Road Series. The penultimate race is the John Beggs Memorial tomorrow, Saturday.

The Banbridge CC-promoted event is 132km, on a lumpy course. That would normally play into Dowling’s hands. But Cigala is clearly climbing well.

Others well able to win on Saturday include Cigala’s team mates Mark O’Callaghan and Sean Lacey. They are 3rd and 5th in the series, on 89 and 67 points respectively.

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Lacey won the series last year and was runner-up, to Bryan McCrystal, in 2015. He was also crowned champion of the old Classic League series before it was discontinued.

Conn McDunphy is 4th, on 74 points. However, having ridden so well in the colours of Lucan CRC at the start of the year, he has now moved on to Raleigh GAC in the UK.

Another man having ventured abroad to race until the end of the year is Darragh O’Mahony. He is 6th in the series but is now in Italy.

Dermot Trulock was 4th on the final stage at the Suir Valley Three Day riding for Leinster. He is still in the hunt in the National Road Series (Photo: Sean Rowe)

The destination of the overall title will become clearer after tomorrow’s contest. But there is also still the matter of the final round; the Laragh Classic.

That event, in Co Wicklow on September 2nd, has been a fantastic addition to the end of the season.

The St Tiernan’s CC race has grown each year. And its success is proof Irish cycling will support good races right to the end of the road campaign.

It is mathematically possible for anyone in the top 13 overall in the series at present to win it.

In reality, Mark Dowling and the Aqua Blue Academy riders will take some beating. But the title is definitely there for the taking for a handful of the leading men.

And another couple of riders many come into genuine contention for overall victory depending on the result of tomorrow’s race.

Dermot Trulock of Lucan CRC, for example, is in 7th on 56 points. Angus Fyffe (Omagh Wheelers) and Craig Rea (Phoenix CC) are next, both with 55 points.

A victory for any of them tomorrow, coupled with those ahead of them not scoring, would bolster their overall aspirations considerably.