The opening shots on the first stage of the Martin. Donnelly Junior Tour came from the Irish camp, courtesy of Sam Bennett when he led the field at the top of the ‘Windy Gap’ after a testing 4kms Mountain Time trial up to the summit on the outskirts of Castlebar last evening.
But it was high drama right up to the last turn of the pedals for the would be hopefuls who had gathered at the top to see if they would be called to the very decorative podium to get the applause of the spectators who had patiently waited for the outcome of the evening proceedings
He had the longest wait at the base start for the event before he was called, but the Carrick-on-Suir cyclist who races for the renowned Dan Morrissey CC showed that he is real deal when it came to cyclist versus the clock. His task was all the more difficult as he to beat a field of 67 to land the top prize on the evening.
Conditions for the test were ideal with a gentle wind blowing down off the gap which was bathed in the evening sun.
Interestingly, whilst Sam had to endure over an hour wait before he was called to start house for his ascent of the mountain climb! Christian Mark from the Isle of Man was first into the fray. The Manx competitor who like the Irish team of Sam, Philip Lavery, Michael Duffy and Charles Prendergast had been on duty at the Junior Europeans in Italy and had just arrived back to register at the Lough Lannagh Village for the 31st edition of the ‘Tour.’
Mark had the distinction of leading the stage and was eyeing up the prospect of wearing the distinctive yellow jersey of race leader for the best part of the evening, but like everybody else who were keeping close tabs on the timings, ‘it isn’t over’ until the final cyclist in the test crossed the finishing line. So Mark’s aspirations were finally dashed and that he would have to wait for another day in the sun if he is to wear the jersey.
Marcus Christie of the Usher Irish Road made the podium as third place finisher. But, the real surprise of the day is the American team Hot Tubes! They left their base in Boston Massachusetts on Monday shortly after mid day and arrived in Shannon yesterday morning. They were ferried up to Castlebar in the afternoon and performed exceptionally well considering their jet lag and lack of sleep. Nathan Brown leads the charge on behalf of the team in fifth place, followed by Nick Bax sixth, Gavin Mannion seventh and Simon Lambert Lemay in eight place who is a first year junior.
Time Trial Winner Sam Bennett with Stage Sponsor Ken Duff of Duff's of Bray
The sponsor of the first stage was ‘Duffs’ of Bray and none other than the proprietor of the famous pub that has a varying degree of cycling memorabilia on view in the establishment, Ken was on the podium to present the prizes to the first three home.
Today stage two moves out of Westport at mid day for 109.6kms of competition with three climbs including a category one at Mam Trasna after 68kms which should split the field.
M Donnelly Junior Tour
Stage one/4kms mountain time trial/Windy Gap (Castlebar)
1 Sam Bennett (Stena Ireland), 7mins.15.47secs;
2 M. Christian (Isle of Man), @.13secs;
3 M. Christle (Usher Irish Road Club), @7.3secs;
4 T. Kennaugh (Isle of Man), @11.52secs;
5 N. Brown (Hot Tubes USA), @12.65secs;
6 N. Bax (Hot Tubes), @13.06secs;
7 G. Mannion (Hot Tubes), @13.82secs;
8 S. Lambert-Lamay (Hot Tubes), @21.42secs;
9 M. Duffy (Stena Ireland), @21.90secs;
10 N. Edmonson (Dave Rayner Team), @22.64 secs.
Points: Bennett.
Mountains: Bennett.
Team: Hot Tubes.
The 4 km course was a real test of strenght finishing at the Windy Gap summit
Race Director Alice Sherratt talking with the Isle of Man team at Windy Gap after the time trial
