McCann Triumphs on Stage 1
David McCann(Ride Sport Racing) took the first stage of the 2009 Suir Valley 3 Day in Clonmel, Co. Tipperary today.
The racing was very aggressive from the start of the 100km as the sun shone on the 134 starters. With many attacks not getting more than 10 seconds, it was a bunch sprint for the first Hot Spot prime at Morrissons BMW, Cahir. Daniel Carroll from the promoting Clonmel CC was strongest as he beat Paul Griffin(Earl of Desmond) in the fight for precious bonus seconds.
A 7 man group did form on the road to Mitchelstown. They worked well together into the headwind, but never got more than 35seconds. As the leaders entered Mitchelstown, the bunch was closing. Crossing the second Hot Spot it was Daniel Kirwan(Usher IRC) who took the points and the bonus seconds from Mick Reddan (Dublin Wheelers).
Just after the prime the break were caught by the bunch, but a stall halfway down the bunch seen a split form. Isle of Man duo Andy Roche and 2009 Gorey 3 Day winner Tim Kennaugh drove it at the front seeing the front half of the split open up a 20 second advantage over the remainder of the main field.
The front split worked quite well with the Ireland Development team trio of Tim O Regan, Mark McKinley and Thomas Martin contributing to the pace which seen the gap slowly open to 45 seconds.
As this 20man group raced through Ardfinnan for the final Hot Spot, Mark Heneghan(South Dublin CC) attacked and took the prime from Daniel Kirwan.
The only KOM of the day at Marlfield went to Paul Griffin. It was shortly after the KOM did McCann attack. He was joined by Griffin, Heneghan, Roche and Stephen O Sullivan (Engraveit.ie). They worked well as they moved onto the finishing 5km circuit to be cover twice, opening a gap of 35seconds.
On the final lap and 3km from the finish McCann made the winning move. Never getting more than 100metres he powered to the line for the win while the remainder of the group split. Griffin came over the line in second place with Roche third. Ride of the day went to Heneghan. The young S2 just came around O Sullivan in the dash for 4th place.
The remainder of the original breakaway was led in by David Peelo (Murphy Surveys) 51seconds back.
Racing continues tomorrow morning with a 92km stage from Clonmel-Ballymacarbry-Dungarvan-The Pike-Carrick On Suir-Kilsheelan-Clonmel.
Tomorrow evening sees the showpiece event of this years 3 Day. The Criterium in Clonmel Town Centre which promises to be a great spectacle for all. Racing gets underway at 7:30pm.