MARTIN DONNELLY JUNIOR TOUR 2007 - Stage 1

Castlebar Prologue

M DONNELLY JUNIOR TOUR: STAGE 1 REPORT By Tommy Campbell Irish Independent, Evening Herald, Sunday Independent Jul 10, 2007,   Castlebar was the setting for the first stage of the M. Donnelly Junior Tour this evening in glorious sunshine. It is a town situated in the heart of Mayo’s Lake country. The town was founded in the early 1600’s by John Birmingham ancestor of the Earls of Lucan. The infamous fugitive Lord Lucan was actually born here. But, this evening was about the stars of the future that raced individually against the clock in a Hill Climb at the Windy Gap over 2kms. First home in the test up the ‘Gap’ on the outskirts of the town was Sam Webster from the Day Raynor Team in a time of 3 minutes 37 seconds which has given him an advantage over second place Sam Bennett of the Stena Ireland team by four seconds with Andreas Fonten from Holland at a deficit if 15 seconds. So, in the test against the clock Webster has certainly shown that he is the one to watch for the days ahead. Tomorrows’s stage leaves Westport for a start and finish at mid-day. On hand to do the honours in the presentation of the race leader’s jersey was Ken Duff of ‘Duffs’ in Bray Co. Wicklow. Ken had literally flown in overnight to be at the stage start as he has been a keen supporter of cycling. “Maybe some day, some of these juniors here today will participate in the Tour de France. London was a great advert for the sport,” said Ken. Team manager of the Dave Raynor Team, Keith Lambert. “We certainly have started on the right foot. Sam’s win sets us up nicely for the week for the week ahead. Glad to see the weather so good, the youngsters in the test certainly enjoyed it,” said Keith. Incidentally, Keith spent much of the day in hospital, but he is 100% OK now. The podium after stage 1 - Picture by Seamus Shortall M.Donnelly Junior Tour, stage one Castlebar (Hill Climb, Windy Gap, 2kms.) 1 S. Webster (Dave Raynor), 3mins 37secs; 2 S. Bennett (Stena-Ireland), 4secs; 3 A. Fonten (Holland), @ 15secs; 4 N. van Geffen (Holland), same time; 5 K. McKinnon (South Africa), st; 6 R. Butler (South Africa), @ 16secs. First Year Junior: Bennett. Points: Webster.