The fortunes of sport were cruel to Eddie Kelly at the 2001 All-Ireland Junior Cycling
Championships in Batterstown, Co. Meath Eddie made a bold move in the
first lap of the 65 mile race and forged away from the field on a solo break. He was on
his own at the front for thirty miles and his lead went up to two minutes at one stage.
With no concerted effort being made by the bunch to chase, there was a strong likelihood
that he was going to stay away and become Irish Junior Champion.
Then, however, the race was stopped when it became entangled with the Veteran's race on
the same course. When racing was resumed, the entire character of the race changed. Eddie
lost his rhythm and concerted attacks were made by the bunch. Eddie was eventually
overhauled.
Two riders slipped away from the bunch in the final miles to take first andsecond places,
and Paudi O'Brien and Barry Meade were the first two to cross the line in the bunch
sprint. Paudi got bronze but Barry was just outside the medals.
It was an equally frustrating day for Daniel Lynch in the U-23 race over 78
miles. Daniel was in a chasing bunch for most of the day and it made contact with the
leaders on the last lap. However, Daniel finished fourth in the sprint finish, just
outside of the medals.
Eddie Kelly on his 30-mile solo break (courtesy www.irishcycling.com) |
Barry Meade and Paudi O'Brien control the bunch (courtesy www.irishcycling.com)
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Barry Meade (right) and Paudi O'Brien (left) fight out the bunch sprint) (courtesy www.irishcycling.com) |
Daniel Lynch leading the chasing bunch in the U-23 race (courtesy www.irishcycling.com) |
Daniel beaten into fourth place (courtesy www.irishcycling.com) |
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