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Last Updated: Sep 8th, 2008 - 14:26:31 |
The 2008 Charleville Park Hotel 2 Day went to Alan Buckley of Limerick CC for a second year in a row. But it was far from plain sailing after the mornings 6.2km Time Trial. It was expected that Buckley who won last years Time Trial would do the same this year until Aaron Buggle posted a blistering time of 7mins 50seconds, a full 35 seconds ahead of Buckley and Stephen Surdival (St. Tiernans) to take the lead for the afternoon stage.
65 riders started stage 3 this afternoon and the attacks were coming thick and fast. A breakaway group established itself just before Croom which contained many of the top riders for the overall, except the yellow jersey himself.
The leaders were Fergal Kelly, Keith Fox (Bray Wheelers) Eamonn Peregine( St. Tiernans) Michael Storan (West Clare), Surdival, Buckley, Fergus O Connor (Fermoy) and Jay Daly (Connacht).
They were working well, but so was the main field, aided by some strong chasing from Buggle who fought hard to close the gap and preserve his jersey.
As the race approached Newcastlewest this lead was reduced to just 12seconds. Laurent Dumoulin (Kanturk Town) seen his chance and jumped the gap to which Buggle could no longer close on his own.
The climbs at Dromcolliher and Milford reshuffled the break as Daly punctured and O Connor, Kelly, Fox and Peregine were all caught by the main field. The gap increased to one minute coming in towards the finish. It came down to a four man sprint to which Dumoulin took the honours from Buckley who retains his title and Storan and Surdival completing the top four.
Charleville Park Hotel 2 Day, Stage 1
As expected numbers were down on previous years but nevertheless 70 rolled out of the impressive Charleville Park Hotel under glorious sunshine to begin stage 1 of the 3 stage event.
Early attacks on the main Cork to Limerick Road by Richard Malone(Newbridge), Fergus O Connor(Fermoy) and Stephen Surdival(St. Tiernans) failed to materialise.
It was on the run in toward Newcastlewest when a 8 man breakaway group broke free. They included Fintan McCormack, Johnathon Reidy (Newbridge), Keith Fox, Ronan Kearney(Bray) Wes Murphy (Dublin Wheelers) Laurent Dumoulin(Kanturk Town), Rene Van Dam (Cycling Pursuits), John J Flaherty (Western Lakes).
These were soon joined by 2007 winner Alan Buckley (Limerick CC) and Donal Kelly (Connacht). This group worked well and opened up a maximum of 40seconds lead over an ever persistent main field.
On the climb through Milford, Buckley made his move as the remainder of the break slipped back intot he main field. With 10km remaining he had 34second advantage, but the main field were closing.
An attack by Fergal Kelly (Bray Wheelers) and Surdival seen the lone leaders gap reduce. But coming into the finish it was Buckley who took the spoils from Kelly and Surdival who were at 18seconds with the remainder of the main field coming in at 25 seconds.
So last years winner Alan Buckley has yellow going into tomorrows 6.2km Time trial with an 85km afternoon road race to follow shortly after.
Some pictures from the event courtesy of Barry Flanagan
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| Start of Stage 1 |
Some more pictures from the event courtesy of Gary McIllroy
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| Laurent Dumoulin wins the final stage |
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| Alan Buckley comes in 2nd and takes the overall |
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| Aaron Buggle wins the junior prize |
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| Overall winner Alan Buckley |
Charleville Park Hotel 2 Day
Stage 1 results
1 Buckley,Alan Limerick CC A 1h34'35"
2 Kelly,Fergal Bray Wheelers @18"
3 Surdival,Stephen St Tiernans @ s/t
4 O'Connor,Fergus Fermoy CC @25"
5 Malone,Richard Newbridge @ s/t
6 Buggle,Aaron South Dublin CC @ s/t
Stage 2 Results
1 Buggle,Aaron South Dublin CC 07'50.20"
2 Surdival,Stephen St Tiernans @33.86"
3 Buckley,Alan Limerick CC A @35.40"
4 Dumoulin,Laurant Kanturk Town @35.84"
5 van Dam,Rene Cycling Pursuit @40.26"
6 Storan,Mike West Clare @43.81"
Stage 3 Results
1 Dumoulin,Laurant Kanturk Town 2h05'07"
2 Buckley,Alan Limerick CC A @s/t
3 Storan,Mike West Clare @ s/t
4 Surdival,Stephen St Tiernans @ s/t
5 Murray,Bob Limerick B @ 47"
6 Mooney,Turlough Eire Og @ s/t
Final Overall Classification
1 Buckley,Alan 2 Limerick CC A 3h48'07"
2 Surdival,Stephen 2 St Tiernans @17"
3 Dumoulin,Laurant V Kanturk Town @26"
4 Storan,Mike 2 West Clare @34"
5 Buggle,Aaron J South Dublin CC @39"
6 van Dam,Rene V Cycling Pursuits @01'19"
7 Bracken,Gary 2 Wolftrap @01'24"
8 Fox,Keith 2 Bray Wheelers @01'27"
9 Kelly,Donal 2 Connaught Team @01'28"
10 Barber,Pete 3 St Finbars @01'30"
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