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Last Updated: Jul 1st, 2008 - 09:10:06 |
In addition to the Elite riders, the under 18 competitors also scrapped it out on Sunday and here Sam Bennett (Dan Morrissey) beat Charles Prendergast (Mayo Wheelers) and Mark Hennegan (South Dublin) to take the junior title. Marcus Christie (Usher IRC) had been clear in the last few kilometres but was scooped up just before the finish line, missing out on not only the victory but also a medal.
The move of the day started on the second of seven laps when Bennet jumped across to breakaway riders Peter Wilson (Ballymena) and Niall Rock (McNally Swords). Rock lost contact but the other two continued on, and were joined by Christie, Prendergast, Hennegan and Leo McAllister (Ballymena). They built a four minute lead over the bunch. Tipped riders such as Philip Lavery (Eurocycles), Sean Downey (Banbridge) and Michael Duffy (Donamon Dynamos) all missed out.
Christie saw his chance on the final lap and attacked before the last climb, opening up a lead of several seconds. However Bennett and Prendergast dragged the others back up to him, getting by on the finishing straight and taking first and second.
“It was painful, it was wicked-hard altogether,” said Bennett. “I had to use my head as best as possible. It was luck on the day, that got it for me.
“It was really negative when Christie got away. It was in the last 5 miles and nobody would really work, so I just took the bull by the horns and dug in. I just got him on the last corner. I was second into the last bend, going in for the inside line and I switched, just getting my speed right. When I caught him, I just had to kick again and do my best.”
Bennett, Lavery, Duffy, Prendergast and Aaron Buggle (South Dublin CC) will all represent Ireland in the European championships next weekend, then return for the M. Donnelly Junior Tour of Ireland. The first four will be the Irish team selection for that race.
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Irish national road race championships, Midleton, Co. Cork
Junior:
1, Sam Bennett (Dan Morrissey) 2 hours 41 mins 37 secs
2, Charles Prendergast (Mayo Wheelers)
3, Mark Hennegan (South Dublin)
4, Marcus Christie (Usher IRC) all same time
5, Leo McAllister (Ballymena) at 11 seconds
6, Peter Wilson (Maryland Wheelers) at 1 minute 39 seconds
7, Peter Williams (Orchard)
8, Dane Dunlop (Lakelands)
9, Sean Moyleth (Donamon Dynamos)
10, Thomas Feeley (Donamon Dynamos)
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