Orwell's McLockout in Mount Nugent!
Mount Nugent Grand Prix, Mount Nugent, Co. Cavan, Saturday 1st August
The trip to County Cavan on Saturday was a fruitful one for Orwell's contingent with Stephen McNally powering home ahead of club mate Gary McNulty at the head of a break which went clear early in the 10 lap race.
Having clipped across to join McNulty in the four man group of vets and third cat riders which went clear on the first 4.6km lap, McNally and co. got down to work chasing the women's group which had started two minutes ahead.
The remainder of the third Cat/Vets group was caught by the chasing first and second Cat riders but the combined forces of the bunch made few inroads on the leaders who retained a one minute advantage over the main group and more than 30 seconds on a three man chasing group at the bell.
The fast moving break mopped up all the riders ahead and added two of the leading women, Fran Meehan (Tullamore CC) and Caroline Ryan (Garda CC) who helped maintain the lead.
Seth Minsk (South Dublin CC) jumped clear inside the final 1500 metres but McNally was alive to the danger and launched himself at the line at a kilometre to go, quickly closing the gap before powering clear for his fifth open race victory of the season.
McNulty also overhauled Minsk in the final rush for the line to complete a perfect return by the two 'Big Macs' who had also secured three of the primes on offer.
Not to be outdone, back in the main group Declan Quigley collected a rare envelope for second unplaced Vet on a good night for the Orwell.
Results
1. Stephen McNally (Orwell Wheelers DTC)
2. Gary McNulty (Orwell Wheelers DTC)
3. Seth Minsk (South Dublin CC)
4. Gerry Watts (Engraveit.ie Dunboyne BCC)
5. Francine Meehan (Tullamore CC)
6. Caroline Ryan (Garda CC)
1st Unplaced Vet: Brian Reynolds (Staggs Lucan CRC)
2nd Unplaced Vet: Declan Quigley (Orwell Wheelers DTC)
