Stephen starts the season in style
Cycleways Cup, Navan, Co. Meath, Sunday 1st March 2009
Stephen McNally did it the hard way in Navan last Sunday, spending almost the entire race in the break before soloing the last seven kilometres to hold off a fast closing chasing group in the Combined Race at the Cycleways Cup races.
Meanwhile Michelle Geoghegan sprinted in to take the first unplaced woman prize after riding comfortably throughout the 84-kilometre event.
Going clear within a few kilometres of the start, McNally and Paul Dolan of the Usher Irish Road Club jumped across to three other riders and this group pared down to four settled down to an afternoon of hard work.
When the lead was at 1m30s at the half way point it looked good for the fast moving quartet but the lead started to shrink on the second lap and when a group of ten forged clear of the dwindling bunch about 15 kilometres from the finish, the alarm bells started to ring.
McNally attacked his companions as the chasing group got to within 20 seconds and then switched into time trial mode for the long drive to the finish.
At the line, Sean Bracken (Usher IRC) was almost within touching distance but McNally just had enough in hand for a victory salute after the perfect start to the open race season.
Geoghegan rode comfortably in the bunch throughout and edged Gillian McDarby (Usher IRC) for first unplaced woman behind US based English professional rider Rachel Heal (Colavita) who finished fourth.
Results
Combined Race
1. Stephen McNally (DTC Orwell Wheelers)
2. Sean Bracken (Usher IRC)
3. Ger Madden (Obelisk CC)
4. Rachel Heal (Colavita)
First unplaced woman: Michelle Geoghegan (DTC Orwell Wheelers)
See www.irishcycling.com for more race pictures.
