MARTIN DONNELLY JUNIOR TOUR 2005 - Stage 2
Ballina to Ballina
O'BRIEN
WINS BUNCH FINISH
By Tommy Campbell,
Jul 13, 2005,
|
|
 |
| Maurice
O'Brien (Kanturk Credit Union CC) wins the first bunch sprint of
the tour |
Kanturk Credit CC's Maurice O'Brien stole
all the thunder in today's stage two of the M. Donnelly Junior Tour
which started and finished in Ballina after a demanding 67 miles which
included two mountain passes which certainly sapped the energy out of
the competitors.
Race leader Martin Munroe from Castlebar, Co. Mayo had it all to do
after he missed an early break, which went clear after 47 pulsating
miles of action from the main bunch who never let up. South African
Frank J. van Vuuren and Welshman Dafydd made the early skirmish ahead of
the race, but their lead only lasted for just a mile of racing.
Over the next 48 miles there were constant attacks with small groups
attempting to go clear, but the Irish team were in mood to allow anybody
latitude that would invariably come back to haunt them if any of them
made a successful move. It is not often that a cycling event comes face
to face with protestors, especially in this country. What if? Well we
will never know if the peaceful protestors at Rossmore who are
campaigning against the Gas coming ashore on behalf of Shell had
disrupted the event as a ploy to their campaign! Well they showed their
appreciation by acknowledging their efforts as they passed before they
came on the North Coast Road where the serious racing was about to
commence.
Just before Bangor on Erris, Jonathan Bellis (British Cycling North
West), Willem Schwaner and Michael Robinson (both BMV Veldhoven,
Holland), Ciaran Cassidy (Navan/Avonmore) and Urban Monks (Newry
Wheelers CC) forged ahead and quickly set a pace, which gained them over
one minute on a bunch, which was inactive.
Unfortunately for the break, they started to stagger the work rate,
which was evident when they made the initial break. The bunch obviously
sensed that the rhythm of the group ahead was coming unstuck as they
began to up the anti in pursuit of negating the break. Also it was
evident to those well up on general classification that they were not
prepared to sacrifice their positions after the time trial on Tuesday
evening which set them apart from the rank and file who loathe TT's. The
chase started in earnest with the race leader, Munroe very much in the
front line. Fortunately for them they made the junction with about two
miles to go.
From then it was a matter of the sprinters massing at the front (similar
to what you see on your TV screens during the Tour de France) as they
readied themselves for the sprint, which went to Maurice O'Brien who
simply went into another gear to win the stage.
"It was a close call, and I am happy to have survived in yellow.
The break certainly took me by surprise, for a while it looked as though
they would succeed. In the end they ran out of luck when the chase
started in earnest to haul them back," said Martin.
Stage Two-M Donnelly Junior Tour/Ballina-Ballina (67.2 miles). Sponsored
by Terry Dolan Cycles.
1 Maurice O'Brien (Kanturk Credit Union CC), 2hrs.37mins.51secs;
2 J. Bestebreurite (Tempo BMV Veldhoven B), same time;
3 D. Clifford (Killorglin Credit Union CC), st;
4 S. Williams (Ulster), st;
5 N. Corbett (South Africa A), st;
6 T. Diggle (British Cycling North Western), st;
7 G. Browne (St. Finbarr's/Vetilux), st;
8 K. Barclay (Scotland), st;
9 D. Byrne (Meath Avonmore CC), st;
10 J. O'Sullivan (Killorglin Credit Union CC).
 |
| The
Podium after Stage 2 - Munroe (Yellow) O'Brien (Green), Murray
(White/Red) & Halpin (White) |
Overall after two stages:
1 Martin Munroe (Ireland), 2hrs.44mins.03secs;
2 M. Murray (Ulster), @9secs;
3 R. McLoughlin (McNally Swords CC), @10;
4 A. Armstrong (Ireland), same time;
5 M. O'Brien (Kanturk Credit Union), @12;
6 B. Blunden (Wales), @ 13;
7 S. Rock (Ireland), @17;
8 P. Vliegen (Holland A), @21;
9 M. Tracey (Kanturk), 25;
10 S. Halpin (McNally Swords CC), 26secs.
Mountains: Murray.
Points: O'Brien.
1st Year Junior: Halpin.
Team: Ireland.
Download
full results in PDF format c/o Seamus Shortall (RapidResults)
PICTURES
OF THE STAGE
Stage 2 starts in Ballina with an 107Km
stage around north Mayo finishing back in Ballina.
HOW TO GET
PRINTED COPIES OF PHOTOGRAPHS:
It is now possible to get
printed copies of pictures taken by Peter Purfield
that are displayed on this website. Click
here for more information
Photographs
are © Copyright Peter Purfield 2000 - 2005, www.IrishCycling.com
|
|
|
|
