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Last Updated: 6 Apr 2018 - 3:10:13 PM |
SHAY ELLIOTT MEMORIAL - 140km
Today belonged to Philip Lavery of Node 4 who demonstrated in no uncertain fashion that he'll be the one to watch in next weeks' An Post Ras which starts in Dunboyne next Sunday.
In a poignant move Lavery said, “I am honouring my great friend and mentor Seamus Kennedy who sadly passed away last Wednesday. He was an inspiration to me. I owe him a lot and he was with me in spirit today. He made many remarks in his life, but one n particular stands out . MAKE FRIENDS IN THE BUNCH” said Philip.
Adding number eight win of the season in the shape of the Shay Elliott Memorial promoted by Bray Wheelers for the 55th occasion. The event was previously known as the Route de Cille Maintain.
But, despite his tender 21 years, Philip fashioned out his win as soon as the flag was dropped on the main Dublin/Wicklow Road in bright sunshine which was a welcome relief!
The 79 starters were fully aware that they were in a race. Yes! There was stop start tactics by the bunch, but as is commonly a factor in this event, everybody was up for a race.
Evidently UCD's Colm Cassidy had his sights set on taking the first prime of the day, but inadvertently he miscalculated the rime line.
Colm's lapse paid into the hands of Robin Kelly of Waterford CC who passed over the rime line in first place after 10kms of racing.
The promoting club's Derek Cunningham hoisted the flag and went on a solo effort but this was short lived.
With 20kms on the clock at an average speed of 41kph, the elastic snapped as a group including Cunningham;'s team colleague Liam Blanchfield, John Murray of Lakeside Wheelers, Conor McAlister of CRC/Vitus, Ryan Mullen of Planet X, Philip Lavery of Node 4, Timmy O'Regan of DID/Dunboyne CC; Adam Armstrong (EuroCycles, Damien Shaw of Lakeside Wheelers.
There was a business-like approach to the break as they moved swiftly ahead, despite the main group keeping them within 450/500 meters.
Once off the main road as the racers passed through Ashford/ Rathnew it was evident that the slickest of the group were beginning to emerge with the likes of Ryan Mullen of Planet X, Philip Lavery of Node 4, Timmy O'Regan of DID/Dunboyne CC; Adam Armstrong (EuroCycles, Damien Shaw of Lakeside Wheelers showing a clean pair of wheels to the remainder of their breakaway wannabees .Plus of course the headwind was not helping the big bunch who admittedly were panned out all the road in pursuit of the escapees. But the quintet had organised themselves into a cohesive unit and were in many terms sucking diesel.
Trough Glenealy the time gaps were coming through with the advantage going 30 seconds plus and the sight of the neutral service and commissaries Colm Rigley cars dropping in behind the leaders was not a sight for sore eyes.
Still the foot was to the metal and the advantage was going up in single digit seconds, which meant that the chance of reeling in the escapees was very much on the cards.
The first cracks in the lead group began to emerge as the quintet encountered the innocuous climb out of Rathdrum which shelled out Timmy O'Regan of DID/Dunboyne CC. Timmy made a valiant attempt to stay in touch but the final 50 meters put his aspirations out the window.
Heading into Avoca the sight of the team cars coming forward to take up positions behind the break was an inkling that they had finally put some daylight between themselves and the main pack, who it has to be said were very much still in contention with a deficit of approximately one minute. Still the quartet had the advantage and there work rate was admirable (though I must admit. Only in my opinion Lavery and Armstrong were the bookies fancies) with each one giving of their best, let us say nobody was taking time out!
And after taking the right hand turn in Woodenbridge, it became evident that Armstrong was in a wee bit of difficulty. Missing his turn, did not cause any anxious moments for the leaders as I can only assume, Armstrong with them was a better option and that also last week he had triumphed in the Tour of Ulster.
Seventy kilometers into the race with the lead hovering at 1.40, Adam finally threw in the towel and abandoned the race. Undeterred the trio of Lavery, Shaw and Mullen (the youngest rider in the event were not for showing the white flag.
Turning off the main road at 85kms and the road surface not up to scratch, Ryan Mullen was next to face the exit door. Ryan made a huge contribution to the break, but as Junior who got special to race, the distance and the intensity of the pace make the start line. Not since the early 70's when Sean Kelly won the event has a junior came next or near success and for a time today Ryan was in contention to make a piece of history.
Now it was down to Philip and Damien to trawl away with an advantage of close on two minutes, but news was coming through that Fraser Duncan of EuroCycles had took flight from the bunch.
On the approach to Glenmalure and the ascent of the climb to the monument which commemorates Shay Elliott, into the right hand bend after the Glenmalure Hotel, the tempo which Philip set was that bit too much for Damien who slowly but surely lost his place at the head of the event. Knowing the tenacity of the Lakeside Wheeler, he just kept a steady momentum for the ascent.
Over the top with the prime in the bag, Philip descended back into valley as a grand prix driver taking the twists and turns in majestic fashion.
With 30kms of racing still ahead, the pretender to the title was in full flow, but so too were his chasers.
News was coming through that Ryan Sherlock was mounting the offensive, but fortunately
he was been chaperoned by Philip's team mate Kieran Friend who had in many ways adopted the style of 'Not working on Sunday,'
As Philip tackled the descent towards Ashford news was filtering through that indeed Sherlock from at one time in arrears of well over a minute was now bordering on the minute marker.
Now, the scene was adapting to would Philip survive the last 10kms as the lone escapee.
Back on the main Dublin Road, the gap had suddenly nose dived to little over 30 seconds. Still Sherlock was still motivated to cut the deficit back, but time and kilometers were now ebbing away.
Fortunately, Philip survived to win one of the most exciting 'Elliott's' in recent history by a margin of four seconds, having the led the event for 120kms.
Race organiser Linus Devlin was full of praise for the event, "everybody knew what they were abut and all the pieces fell into place. There is great team work in the club and long may it continue."
Certainly the fare provided by the Bray Wheelers for the cyclists and there entourage was well received. Thanks to the ladies', Dawson and Martin and their team.
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| Winner of the 55th Shay Elliott Memorial race - Philip Laver NODE4 Giordana |
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| 2nd place Kieran Friend NODE4 Giordana |
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| 3rd place Ryan Sherlock Cycleways |
1 Philip Lavery (Node 4), 3hrs.35mins.59secs;
2 Kieran Friend (Node 4) @4secs;
3 Ryan Sherlock *(Cycleways CC), same time;
4 Frazer Duncan (EuroCycles), @49;
5 Greg Swinand (Usher IRC), st;
6 Colm Cassidy (UCD); @1.15;
7 Fiachra O'Muire (DID/Dunboyne CC); st;
8 Thomas Martin (EuroCycles), @1.28;
9 John O'Shea (IVERK Carrick Wheelers),@1.38
10 Andrew Meehan (DID Dunboyne CC), st;
11 James (Sampson (Node 4), 1.44;
12 David Peelo (Murphy Surveyors Kilcullen CC), st.
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| First A2 Rider |
Unplaced A2
1. Simon Ryan (Visit Nenagh)
2. Marc Potts (Omagh CC)
3. Keith Walls (DID Dunboyne)
4. Peter Rimmer (Lakeside Mullingar)
5. Chris Reilly (Bohermeen CC)
6. Odhran Connors (Dundrum Town Centre Orwell Wheelers)
7. John Kelly (Dublin Wheelers CC)
8. Geoff Sheehan (South Dublin CC)
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| Sprints Winner Robin Kelly Waterford CC |
1st Sprint Prime: Robin Kelly (Waterford RC)
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| KOM Winner Philip Lavery NODE4 Giordana |
Shay Elliott KOM: Philip Lavery
1st Bray Wheelers rider: Derek Cunningham
- Pictures by Peter Purfield
Call back later for a full account of how it unfolded in pictures from this years excellent event.
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RADIO KERRY TOMORROW EVENING: Radio Kerry will have a tribute to Seamus Kennedys 1978 Ras win tomorrow evening (14th of MAY) at 6.30pm on the TERRACE TALK SPORTS SHOW at 96-98 FM and on the internet at www.radiokerry.com
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| Matt Blayney, North Down CC |
BLAYNEY TAKE MOURNES WIN
c/o Drew McKinley
It was a delighted Matt Blayneys day at the 58th edition of the Tour of Mournes promoted by Newry wheelers. Blayney took the win in a 4 man sprint for the line after spending 40 mile in a breakaway which never looked like getting caught as most of the main teams where represented in the move.Myles McCorry made the move just before Kilkeel and was soon joined by Blayney,Jeffers,Curran and McIlwaine. Other to jump across where McKinght and Doyle from Foyle and a Phoenix rider ?.This group rode well and where assisted down the coast road to Newcastle with a great tailwind with the bunch hitting speeds of 40mph.The gap hovered around the minute mark to the seaside town and even up through the climb into Byransford it steadily grew to 1minute and 50 secs.
Newry wheelers where the big losers of the day and started chasing towards Hilltown and Kilcoo and although Quinn and McKinley took 30 secs back it was a tall order to catch the well drilled 8 man leading group.
The fireworks started in Rathfriland for the breakaway with Doyle and Jeffers dancing up the climb with only Blayney and Curran holding on. On the run in to Newry the leading 4 worked well but with a km to go Curran jumped but was quickly covered by Jeffers. Blayney then took the charge out of the final roundabout to take the win ahead of Doyle with Jeffers third. Supervet Liam Curran took 4th with McCorry finishing on his own in 5th with McIlwaine and Reid taking 6th and 7th. Cormac Clarke of Newry wheelers took the bunch gallop to finish 8th.
A big thank you must go out to the PSNI who did a great job as usual and also the motorbike marshals on route. The Newry wheelers club had every corner and junction covered as per usual and the catering afterwards was top class as usual.
Results - Tour of Mournes 100kms
1. Matt Blayney North Down
2. Matt Doyle Foyle (1st year Junior)
3. Gary Jeffers East Tyrone
4. Liam Curran Curran Racing
5. Myles McCorry Cuchulain
6. Devon McIlwaine Duffin Transport
7. Ivan Reid Omagh
8. Cormac Clarke J Newry wheelers J
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