Tyrone cyclist Darren Rafferty was victorious in the Irish National Road Race last weekend, while Fiona Mangan was crowned Women’s champion.
The Irish National Championships was this year hosted by the Newcastle West Cycling Club. Each race was run on a challenging, hilly course based out of the town of Athea, Co Limerick.
The 161km men’s race started in an aggressive manor, typical of Irish road racing, with attacks flying from the gun.
None would stick, however, until after 30km of racing, when a select group of nine riders managed to break clear of the bunch.
This group included many of the race favourites, such as seasoned professional Eddie Dunbar, 2022 National Champion Rory Townsend, 2023 Rás Tailteann winner Dillon Corkery and Coalisland native Darren Rafferty.
The nine riders would work well together, growing a significant lead over the main bunch.
While it became clear that the title would be decided from that group, for 20-year-old Rafferty it seemed the race was not going his way.
The young Tyrone man suffered multiple mechanical issues throughout the day and was forced to carry out two bike changes, having to spend energy each time to chase back into the break.
However, Rafferty overcame these difficulties and launched a blistering attack with 25km remaining which only Corkery was able to follow.
The two worked cohesively until the final 10km. At this point, Corkery suffered bad cramps in the heat and Rafferty was able distance him to take his first Elite National title.
Corkery finished second, while Townsend came home in third.
Speaking to Cycling Ireland after the race, Rafferty said he the victory was unexpected but he was happy for the home support:
“It was so nice to do it here with some many people from Island Wheelers, my home club.
“I came in with pretty low expectations and I thought I’d see how it all plays out.
“With all the stronger riders in the field, I thought it was Townsend and Eddie’s to lose, so I kind of leaned on them a bit.
However, Rafferty proved he was best on the day and will now be able to wear the Shamrock jersey for the next year.
“I’ll get some good races with the jersey now and try do it proud.
“And to keep it with EF for another year is really nice for the team and for myself
“It should be a good 12 months - I’ll cherish it,” he said.
In the U23 Championship, Belfast rider Dean Harvey took the title while Patrick Casey won the Junior race.
The Women’s Championship took place on Saturday, the day before the men’s. They faced 118km of racing, on the same demanding circuit.
While many riders attempted to break clear from the bunch, the race was mostly dictated by Grace Reynolds. She rode solo, off-the-front, for over 60km of the race.
With the bunch struggling to form a coherent chase, it seemed that Reynolds’ bravery would pay off as she remained clear well into the final kilometres.
However, the title would not be hers and Reynolds was caught with a devastating 50 metres to go.
A late surge from Fiona Mangan saw her take the Women’s Elite title, doubling up with the Time Trial Championships she won earlier in the week.
Reynolds managed to hold on for second, while last year’s champion Lara Gillespie finished in third.
As a Limerick native, Mangan commented that the home victory was a special one for her. Speaking to Cycling Ireland after the race, she said:
“I knew I had good legs going into it and I really did study the course
“I’ve actually raced with some of the girls in Europe as well, over the years, so you know their strengths
“But with Nationals, you never know what is going to happen
“It’s really special, honestly. Limerick, for me, I always get good luck here.”
Westmeath rider Caoimhe O’Brien would take the U23 title, while Lucy Bénézet Minns won the Junior race.