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Mickey Russell (Left), 2011 Donegal Time Trial Champion . Pauric Mc Clafferty ( Right) 2011 Donegal Road Race Champion
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Four Masters Cycling Club show their true pedigree this weekend at the first ever Donegal Cycling Championships, taking first place in both the 10 mile Time Trail and the 40 mile Road Race
The 2011 Donegal Cycling Championships kicked of on Saturday morning with a 10 mile time trial, starting at Toban in Burnfoot, and into Buncrana and back. Four Masters veteran riders Mickey Russell, Martin Mc Devitt and Jason Black, showed how it was done to take first, third and fourth respectively. Second place went to North Pole rider Paddy Mc Callion. The winning time of 22.49 from Mickey Russell was the perfect end to his come back season.
Ballyliffen, in Inishowen was the centre point for the forty mile road race, to determine the Donegal Champion for 2011. Over 30 of Donegal’s best riders signed on with Four Masters, Errigal, North Pole and the Saddle Rock clubs all being represented.
Within five miles of the start line there was the first break of the day with two riders, followed by three more riders, to make up the five man breakaway which dominated today’s race. This break away consisted of Pauric Mc Cafferty, Shaun Stewart, Jason Mc Hugh, Conor Brennan and Rory Devlin. Working well together this group managed to open a three minute gap by the second lap and no counter attacks by the peleton could make any dents in the massive advantage.
It was on the final run over the Mountain Road that Conor Brennan of Errigal CC made his break, but Four Masters rider Pauric Mc Cafferty was having none of it and it was not long before Pauric had pulled Brennan back. Shaun Stewart tried hard to join these two riders but it was not to be. Brennan and Mc Cafferty worked very hard together and soon had a 30 second lead over the three chasers. It was on the final climb of the Mountain road that Mc Clafferty increased the pace which was un-matched by Brennan who fought hard to closed down the 10 second lead of Mc Cafferty but to no avail. With 10km to go Brennan sat up and waiting for the three chasers, who all worked hard to try and bridge the gap, but it was Mc Caffertys day.
Pauric won today race with over a minute of a lead, followed by Conor Brennan of Errigal CC, Shaun Stewart of Four Masters CC and Jason Mc Hugh of Four Masters CC.
Four Masters members showed their ability this weekend, and showed what can be achieved when a club works as a team. Great result guys, and very well deserved.
The overall results of today’s road race are:
A Race
1st Pauric Mc Cafferty Four Masters CC
2nd Conor Brennan Errigal CC
3rd Shaun Stewart Four Masters CC
A3 Jason Mc Hugh Four Masters CC ( Great birthday present )
A4 Kevin Holan Errigal CC
Junior Conor Brennan Errigal CC
Youth Jordan Mc Ginley Errigal CC
Team Four Masters CC Pauric Mc Cafferty Shaun Stewart Jason Mc Hugh
B Race
Youth Under 12 Roison Carter North Pole
Youth under 14 Christopher Carter North Pole
Lady Sandra Devine Errigal CC
Over 60 Willie John Mc Laughlin North Pole
Over 50 Carl Mc Laughlin North Pole
Well done to North Pole for hosting this event, and Paul Devenney for a great job as race Comm.
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