Stephen's solo symphony: Another park gallop, another win for Orwell
Phoenix Park Grand Prix Series, Tuesday 12th May
Stephen McNally's stunning 2009 season continued apace in the Phoenix Park Grand Prix on Tuesday evening as the Dunboyne based vet turned 10 laps of the Khyber Pass into a personal vendetta against the undulating ribbon of tarmac stretching out across four verdant kilometres of Dublin parkland.
After initiating an early move and then riding on his own for a lap, McNally took brief refuge back in the C Category/Vet/Junior/Women group before forging clear at half distance for a five-lap time trial to the finish line.
As 25-minute solos go, this one was definitely in the virtuoso department, a free form jazz expression of pedal pushing to the syncopated accompaniment of a fast shrinking bunch. McNally's lead remained steady throughout at around 15-20 seconds but the pace of the pursuit was reflected in the diminishing number of chasers as the laps clicked down to the flag.
Behind the front group the A and B Category riders reduced the five minute deficit to the leaders but failed to get on terms with the group chasing the minor prizes. Orwell's Eddie Lynch, victor on the circuit a fortnight ago, displayed enduring good form with second in the bunch sprint for a fourth place finish.
Up ahead the man he edged for the win two weeks previously made it an Orwell double in the Park. This was McNally's second open race success in three days and his third road race victory in succession follows wins in the Kieran Hammond Memorial and an IVCA DMS on the Curragh.
"That was bloody hard," he said afterwards. "I didn't really mean to go clear on my own but when no one came with me I decided to keep going for a lap to see if anyone else would come across to me. When I saw that I was holding the gap, I just kept going until it was only 2 laps to go, at which point I was committed. It's great to have good legs and be able to carry it off. It's nice to get a win on such a nice circuit for racing. Thanks to Alice Sherratt, Danny and Geraldine O'Shea, Phil O'Brien and all the marshals who helped out... we had a great night's racing in lovely weather. Here's to many more of them."
