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Three In A Row For Sean
Sean Bracken of Usher Irish Road Club lifted his third National Veterans Road Race title in a row with a convincing win at Nutts Corner today. It was local riders Vincent Tubridy (Slane Cycles) and Jim Dill (East Antrim-Audi) who got the action underway in the Phoenix promoted race. The duo went away from the start and quicky established a one minute gap on the main field.
Two separate chasing groups formed behind containing all the pre-race favourites. Bracken, Brendan Graham (Total Cycling), Norman Campbell (U/A), Kenny Boylan (Lakeland CC), Kevin O'Leary (St. Finbar's Cork), Jim McConnell (East Antrim-Audi),Terry Ferris (Dublin Wheelers), Anthony MacMahon ( McNally Swords ) and Sean McIlroy (Carrick Cidona) made contact with the two leaders at the half way stage.
Jim Dill who had been active throughout the race was most unlucky to puncture and never managed to regain the lead group.
The main bunch never gave up and some strong riding, especially from the Phoenix squad who had hoped for success in the team award, saw the gap come down to 20 seconds. It looked as if the field would all come together but the strong first group got their act together on the penultimate lap and stretched their lead once again.
Bracken made his bid on the final circuit and had a 25 second advantage along the 7 Mile Straight. He stretched this all the way to the line coming home 57 seconds ahead of Norman Campbell.
Cork's Kevin O'Leary took the bronze medal edging out Brendan Graham, Terry Ferris and Vincent Tubridy in the sprint for third place.
Hugh Davis secured the team award for Usher Irish Road Club winning the bunch sprint for 10th place with clubmate Paddy Davis also finishing comfortably in the main group.
1 Sean Bracken (Usher Irish Road Club) 50 Miles 2-06-17
2 Norman Campbell (U/A) @ 57 secs
3 Kevin O'Leary (St. Finbars) @ 1-20
4 Brendan Graham (Total Cycling) ST
5 Terry Ferris (Dublin Wheelers) ST
6 Vincent Tubridy (Slane Cycles) ST
7 Jim McConnell (East Antrim-Audi) ST
8 Kenny Boylan (Lakeland CC) ST
9 Sean McIlroy (Carrick Cidona) @ 1-50
10 Hugh Davis (Usher Irish Road Club) @ 2-15
Team: Usher Irish Road Club (S.Bracken,H.Davis,S.Davis)
REPORT: Tommy Lamb
PICS: Marian Lamb Return |
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