Stage 1 of the Irish Road Club’s Gorey 3 Day saw the riders start out from Blessington, Co. Wicklow travelling through Hacketstown, Tinahely, Carnew, Camolin and Gorey with a finish on the hill in Craanford. A break of 8 riders got away after the Hackettstown climb and 5 of these stayed away to the finish line. The stage was decided when Darragh O’ Mahony and Michael O’Loughlin left the break on the last lap to contest the sprint which was won on the climb by O’Mahony with O’Loughlin 2nd and Henry J Jung of the French VC Eckwersheim Team beating the remainder of the break to come across the line in 3rd place.
GoreyCC’s Joe Christian attacked off the front of the main bunch with about 10km to go but was reeled back in and both Joe and Murt Doyle finished comfortably in the main bunch just 1’43” down on the stage winner. John Whyte was unlucky to cramp on the final circuit of Craanford, but managed to get to the finish.
A massive thank you to all who helped out in the run up and during the race, particularly the road marshalls and also to Craanford Community Centre for the use of their facilities at the finish.
Full results are on Irish Road Club’s website here.
Joe Christian warming up before the start of The Gorey 3 Day
The GoreyCC Team car fully laden and filing in behind the Gorey 3 Day peleton.