Mick Lally Memorial

Details

Surdival shines in Dunboyne

By Declan Quigley

Dublin Wheelers Mick Lally Memorial, Dunboyne, Co. Meath,  March 8, 2009

Surdival on form in Dunboyne Photo courtesy of John Heery (Dublin Wheelers)

Stephen Surdival scored the best result of his burgeoning career with a fine second place in the Mick Lally Memorial at Dunboyne last Saturday.

The featherweight climber jumped clear with race winner Philip Lavery (Winning Solutions) and last year's winner Sean Lacey (Eurocycles) on the final time up Dorey's Forge to secure a top finish early in his first season as a first category rider.

Having been forced to pull out of last weekend's Cycleways Cup in Navan with mechanical problems, Surdival was eager to show the value of a busy winter's training and latched on to the lead group of eight riders which went clear of the bunch in the first few miles of the 85 kilometre event.

Battling biting winds on treacherously muddy roads, the break opened up an unassailable lead before Lavery, Surdival and Lacey made their bid for freedom on the last of three ascents of the short, sharp shock that is Dorey's Forge.

Lacey punctured but was quickly back with his companions only to fall foul of the commissaire who adjudged his return to the front to have been illegally paced. Lavery raced clear in the closing kilometres while Lacey led Surdival in for the final ‘podium' positions only for the former to be relegated to fourth.

That promoted Surdival to runner up spot and a satisfying start to a season which, as for many others, is focused on a good performance in the FBD Ras.

Odhran Connors continued his good form with a strong 12th place finish just clear of the main pack to secure the second unplaced B rider prize.

Results

Dublin Wheelers Mick Lally Memorial

1. Philip Lavery (Winning Solutions)
2. Stephen Surdival (Dundrum Town Centre Orwell Wheelers)
3. Killian Keane (Murphy Surveyors/Kilcullen CC)
4. Sean Lacey (Eurobaby/Eurocycles)
5. Fiachra O'Muire (Usher IRC)
6. Eugene Moriarty (Engarve.ie/Cycleways.com./BDBC)

Unplaced Senior B
1. Dave Malone (Usher IRC)
2. Odhran Connors (Dundrum Town Centre Orwell Wheelers)
3. Noel Maloney (South Dublin CC)