Thomas on target in Ballivor GP
Navan Road Club's Ballivor Grand Prix, Navan, Saturday 18th July
It's been a little while coming but Graham Thomas's return to the winner's circle in open racing certainly came in impressive style in the Navan Road Club's Ballivor Grand Prix on July 18th.
Graham's aggressive riding paid dividends in the 54km handicap race when he went clear in the closing stages before winning a three-up sprint to decide the destination of the spoils.
Behind, Eddie Lynch secured the first veteran prize while Ódhran Connors was also prominent throughout.
Graham was part of a ten-man group including Lynch and Connors who bridged across to the Cs, Women and Vets Over 50 group which had enjoyed a couple of minutes head start.
Jumping clear with five km to go, Graham brought Thomas McGrath (Stamullen M Donnelly) with him and, with Graham driving hard for a couple of kilometres, they were joined by Eamonn Peregrine (St Tiernan's) which helped them to just fend off the baying pack in the run to the line.
Graham comfortably took the sprint from Peregrine to record his long awaited success with Lynch taking first veterans prize just a few seconds behind. Illustrating just how tight the battle had been, McGrath was pipped for third by the winner of the bunch sprint, Craig Sweetman (Stamullen M Donnelly).
Results
1. Graham Thomas (Orwell Wheelers DTC)
2. Eamonn Peregrine (St Tiernan's)
3. Craig Sweetman (Stamullen M Donnelly)
4. Thomas McGrath (Stamullen M Donnelly)
5. Aidan Crowley (Engraveit.ie/BDBC)
7. Eddie Lynch (Orwell Wheelers DTC)
8. Sean Reynolds (Lucan CRC)
1st Veteran: Eddie Lynch (Orwell Wheelers DTC)
