Mayo rider David O’Loughlin took his third national road race tile in four years today, outsprinting three other riders at the end of the tough 170 kilometre event.
Racing in Waterford, the Navigators Insurance professional came to the final kilometre with the Murphy and Gunn/Newlyn Group/M. Donnelly Sean Kelly pairing of Paídi O’Brien and Mark Cassidy and France-based pro Nicolas Roche (Crédit Agricole).
He led out the sprint from a long way out but was strong enough to win.
Roche narrowly missed out on a medal, even though he was regarded by many as perhaps the strongest rider in the race. He attacked alone with approximately 80 kilometres remaining, opened up a two minute lead, but his gains were limited by the strong winds, the large group chasing behind and the fact that he had probably played his card two laps too early.
He was clear for approximately 45 kilometres, then a group containing the three medallists plus Rory Wyley (Dan Morrissey) and Sean Lacey (Murphy and Gunn/Newlyn Group) got across to him. The latter two yo-yoed off the back of the break on the final lap but Roche hung on, despite suffering bad cramp.
Missing out on bronze by a few inches will be a disappointment. However he will return to France with the consolation of gold in Friday’s time trial, beating former champions David McCann (Colavita Sutter Home) and O’Loughlin.
McCann and local favourite Ciarán Power both went into today’s race aiming for gold. McCann was however below par due to sickness and withdrew, while Power cramped badly. Daniel Martin (VC La Pomme) also faded early, dropping out of a big break.
Meanwhile French-based Denis Dunworth (VSK Pays Lamballe) dominated the 106.4 kilometre junior event. He hit the line 3 minutes and 20 seconds ahead of Philip Lavery (Usher IRC), with Sean Downey (Banbridge CC) a further 30 seconds back.
More tomorrow (long drive home!)
National road race championships, Waterford:
Elite:
1, David O’Loughlin (Navigators Insurance) 170 kilometres in 4 hours 7 mins 43 secs
2, Paídi O’Brien (Murphy and Gunn/Newlyn Group/M. Donnelly Sean Kelly)
3, Mark Cassidy (Murphy and Gunn/Newlyn Group/M. Donnelly Sean Kelly)
4, Nicolas Roche (Crédit Agricole) all same time
5, Rory Wyley (Dan Morrissey) at 5 secs
6, Sean Lacey (Murphy and Gunn/Newlyn Group) at 7 secs
7, Neil Delahaye (Usher IRC) 4 11 28 at 3 mins 35 secs
8, Paul Healion (Murphy and Gunn/Newlyn Group/M. Donnelly Sean Kelly) at 4 mins 9 secs
9, Martyn Irvine (Ards CC) at 7 mins 5 secs
10, Glenn Kinning (Castlereagh CC) at 7 mins 12 secs
11, Michael Hennessy (Fermoy CC) at 7 mins 17 secs
12, Eugene Moriarty (MyHome.ie/BBDBC) at 7 mins 30 secs
13, Damien McCabe (Team Pointe) at 10 mins 39 secs
14, Simon Coughlan (Donamon Dynamos) at 10 mins 58 secs
15, John Dempsey (Murphy and Gunn/Newlyn Group/M. Donnelly Sean Kelly) at 12 mins 14 secs
Team: Murphy and Gunn/Newlyn Group/M. Donnelly Sean Kelly
Under 23:
1, Mark Cassidy (Murphy and Gunn/Newlyn Group/M. Donnelly Sean Kelly)
2, Martyn Irvine (Ards CC)
3, Adam Armstrong (Northern Dave Kane)
Junior:
1, Denis Dunworth (VSK Pays Lamballe) 106.4 kilometres in 2 hours 47 mins 6 secs
2, Philip Lavery (Usher IRC) at 3 mins 20 secs
3, Sean Downey (Banbridge CC) at 3 mins 50 secs
4, Michael Duffy (Donamon Dynamos) at 5 mins 51 secs
5, Peter Wilson (Maryland Wheelers)
6, Allister Fiddes (Orchard Wheelers) both same time
7, Damien Gavin (Cover Wheelers) at 5 mins 55 secs
8, Aaron Buggle (South Dublin CC) at 6 mins
9, Geoff Hanrahan (Clonmell CC) at 6 mins 10 secs
10, Mark Hennegen (South Dublin CC) at 6 mins 27 secs