Roche wins gold in Dunboyne

It was back to the future at Dunboyne on Sunday as Nicolas Roche, son of the legendary Stephen, won the main event at the All-Ireland Senior Road Race Championships. The local club also hosted the u-23 and u-18 races. The big crowd that showed up were treated to some of the best cycling seen for a long time with all the top riders included in the huge entry for the senior men"s race. Right from the drop of the starting flag in Dunboyne, racing was fast and furious. After just 35km, a 13-man group broke clear of the peleton and quickly opened up a 40-second gap. This group included Dunboyne man Paul Healion, who won the All-Ireland Criterium Championship in Dundrum only last week, the An Post/M Donnelly trio of Ronan McLaughlin, Paudi O"Brien and Dave O"Loughlin, Martyn Irvine from the Curran racing team in Belfast and Roche representing the AG2R team in France. Also involved were Sean Downey (Banbridge), Philip Lavery (Winning Solutions), Urban Monks (Eurocycles) Robin Kelly from the Comeragh CC in Waterford and Mick Fitzgerald from Dan Morrissey CC in Tipperary. These riders rode very well together and managed to hold off an 18-man chasing group which was spear-headed by two more Dunboyne cyclists, Mark Cassidy and Aidan Crowley. By the time the race reached the 110km mark, the 13-man breakaway group had a 2.20 minute lead. With 35km of racing remaining this group split, with seven riders forging ahead - Robin Kelly, O"Brien, McLaughlin, Sean Downey, O"Loughlin, Irvine and Roche. Entering the final 21km lap, three riders jumped further ahead, O"Brien, O"Loughlin and Roche and set off in search of glory. All around this final lap these three riders attacked, all testing their strength and ability and each with their eyes on the gold medal that awaited the victor. Back at the finish line, the race commentator was in constant radio contact with how the race was progressing and with each attack being monitored and relayed to the huge crowd who were waiting in anticipation. Inside the final 3km, Roche attacked and finally shook off O"Brien and O"Loughlin. On entering the final straight Roche received a tumultuous reception and looking back with no immediate danger in sight he raised his arms in victory. He ended up with a slim lead of 11 seconds taking the gold medal. In a sprint for the silver medal, O"Loughlin outsprinted his team-mate O"Brien. An Post/M Donnelly won the coveted team prize. The junior (u-18) Championship which was held over five laps of the same course and resulted in a great win for Charles Prendergast from Mayo Wheelers CC. Marcus Christie (Usher Irish RC) finished second and Peter Williams in the colours of the Juiced Orchard CC in Armagh secured third place. On Saturday the All-Ireland veterans (0-40) and ladies championships were held. In the veterans event Rory Wyley from the Dan Morrissey team took the honours from Andre Engermann (St. Tiernan"s CC) with Tom Shanahan (Limerick CC) securing third place. The ladies championship, which ended in a bunch sprint, was won by Heather Wilson from the Maryland CC in Belfast, second place went to Olivia Dillon (Touchstone CC) and Mary Costello (unattached) wrapped up third place. Heather Byrne (Navan RC) put in a brilliant performance to clinch second place in the ladies u-18 championship. BRENDAN CARROLL MEMORIAL Next Saturday in Stamullen village the Brendan Carroll Memorial cycle race will be promoted by Stamullen M Donnelly RC. Racing gets underway at 11.0 with the u-16 cyclist the first to leave the start line, closely followed by the u-14 race, with the u-12 race starting in Gormanston. Then at 11.45 the senior race for the Brendan Carroll Memorial Trophy will leave the start line and complete seven laps of the Stamullen/Cottage Hill/Balscadden/Gormanston/Stamullen circuit. All races will finish in Stamullen village. The second round of the Mark Mullen Memorial League, promoted by Drogheda Wheelers CC, will get underway next Monday night, 7.30 in Donore. There will be racing for all categories and an invitation is extended to all clubs to participate in this annual popular league.