The fine weather brought out the crowds for the 40th anniversary of the Stephen Roche GP in Meadow Mount estate in Dundrum, South Dublin.
In the men's event, the race was let off in three groups, the C3's and C2's getting a head start on the very fast C1 group. The race was run over 45 minutes and 3 laps of the 1.5 km circuit.
All the groups came together around the half way stage and in the following laps many attempts were made to break clear which all failed and the bunch came together for the sprint which ended in one of the closest finishes ever, three riders crossed the line together leaving the result to be decided on seeing the photo finish camera.
The promoting club rider Evan Keane (Orwell Wheelers) won by the closest of margins from Ruairi Byrne (UCD Cycling Club) and last years winner Max Fitzgerald (Team Skyline). Keane's win was particularly good for the Orwell Wheelers as the club hadn't won the event since Scott McDonald in 1995.
The women's race had a great entry and Greta Lawless (Dawson Racing) showed her sprinting dominance with a great win ahead of Ellen Ní Clerigh (Longcourt Hotel) and Mia Smith (Brother UK).
Official results added here when they become available
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Previous Winners (not complete)
1986 Gary Thompson Emerald CRC
1992 Julian Dalby James Connolly CC
1995 Scott McDonald Orwell Wheelers
1996 Aidan Duff Bray Wheelers
1997 Stephen O'Sullivan Coors
1998 Aidan Duff Bray Wheelers
1999 Simon Whelan Swords
2000 Paul Healion Usher IRC
2001 Ray Clarke Classic Walls
2002 Graham Thomas Finglas Ravens
2003 Brian Ahern Naas Fig rolls
2004 Colm Bracken DHL Walls Cycles
2005 Paul Healion Bio Agrico
2006 Morgan Fox Murphy and Gunn/Newlyn group
2007 Philip Lavery Usher IRC
2008 Nicolas Roche Credit Agricole
2009 Paul Healion South Dublin CC
2010 Mike Reddan South Dublin CC
2011 Felix English Science in Sport
2012 Philip Lavery Node 4 Giordana
2013 Con Collis UCD
2014 James Davenport South Dublin CC
2015 Jake Gray NRPT-Magnet.ie
2016 Mark Dowling ASEA Wheelworx
2017 Philip Lavery Unattached
2018 Alexis Roche Côtes d'Armor
2019 Mark Dowling U/A
2022 Daire Feeley All Human Velo Revolution Racing Team
2023 Conn McDunphy Lucan CRC
2024 Conn McDunphy Skyline
2025 Max Fitzgerald JEGG-DJR Academy
