Situated in the shadows of Croagh Patrick and
overlooking Clew Bay, Westport’s a unique town and one not to be bypass as was
the case for the greatest little bike race in the world.
Westport, Co. Mayo laid on all the facilities for stage two of the M Donnelly
Junior Tour yesterday. On hand to greet the race entourage was Joe McGuire of
the Mayo Wheelers Cycling Club along with the various dignitaries of the Town
Council who sponsored the stage.
Overnight Denis Dunworth from Tralee and representing Stenaline-Ireland was race
leader and there was plenty of activity in and around the Leisure Centre in the
town as the well wishers were on hand to greet and meet to meet the participants
and officials alike.
At mid-day the race rolled out of the Octagon in the Square opposite Wyatt’s
Hotel who is very supportive of the sport in the town.
With all the ceremonial proceedings done and dusted it was the racers themselves
who took centre stage on the Louisbourg Road when the race director Alice
Sherratt dropped the flag to signal the start of stage two of six in the JT.
We didn’t have long to wait for the first attack of the day from the peloton.
South African Ruan Benson, Matthew Greaves of the Dave Rayner team Chris
Monteleone of Hot Tubes USA went ahead. By the entrance to Croagh Patrick and a
replica of a Famine Boat, the trios escape was nullified in particular by the
Stenaline-Irish jerseys that were protective of the race leader Denis Dunworth.
The most dramatic move of the stage took place at the village of Delphi when
team mates Adam Bewer and Tom Diggle of the East Midlands outfit went ahead.
Both were here last year and obviously were keen to make a mark on this year’s
race. Within a couple of miles the pattern of the stage took on a new look
when Diggle went ahead on his own and quickly stamped his authority on the
proceedings as the time advantage suddenly increased from mere seconds to over a
minute and to think that a chasing group were in full flight of the lone leader.
Heading the chase was Simon Holt and Jonathon McEvoy, David Williams (West
Midlands), Matthew Greaves Chris Montleone earlier escapees, Ben King, Tucker
Orlaander, Andy Cornelison (Hot Tubes), Luke Rowe((Dave Rayner).
More or less the composition of this breakaway group was to dominate the
remainder of the stage and on the day’s results was to send out a message that
the eventual overall leader would come from within this pack.
Whist Diggle continued to cut a lonely figure out front, his lead on the chasers
was averaging on the minute mark, but in arrears the bunch was reacting at times
to the blackboard which was showing on an average two to three minutes
behind. The race leader Denis Dunworth made several attempts to go
forward, but the firepower was not in evidence, but it was not for the want of
trying.
Eventually after leading from the front, Diggle succumbed to the chasers after
16 miles of activity as the race passed by the famous Aasleagh Falls.
Unfortunately Diggle lost contact and was brought to heel by the bunch in the
last five miles of racing. There was still another twist to the day’s activity
as Adam Bonsar took flight from the break shortly after Aghagower on the
approach to the first of two KOM’s which copper fastened his advantage on the
original break
In the end he flashed over the finishing line and had ample time to sample the
fruits of his victory as he was followed home by Luke Row and Jonathon McEvoy in
that order.
It was generally accepted that the course was tough but fair and for those
watching the compliments were very much in favour of the juniors from the first
to the last who served up a magnificent days racing in very scenic countryside
which straddles this county of Mayo which has the longest coastline in Ireland.
Stage two-Westport-Westport, 63.80 miles
Details:
1 Adam Bonsar (North West), 2hrs.30mins.7secs;
2 L. Rowe (Dave Rayner Team), @43secs;
3 J. McEvoy (North West), @46;
4 B. Sinnigeboun Wilterteam), same tiem;
5 S. Holt (West Midlands), st;
6 G.VanDerSanden (Team Tempo BMV Veldhoven), st.
Overall after two stages
1 Bonsar, 2.37.39;
2 Rowe, @36;
3 King, @37;
4 Holt, same time;
5 McEvoy, @55;
6 Sinnige, @58.
Team-North West.
Points-Rowe.
Mountains-King.
First Year Junior-King.
