Cycling Round-up Dutch rider Joey Bestebreurje proved quickest in the sprint which decided yesterday's third leg of the M Donnelly Junior Tour from Westport to Cong. The BMV Veldhoven rider outgalloped Irish rider Ciarán Cassidy (Navan/Avonmore) with his team-mate Michael Robinson taking third.
Stage One winner Martin Munroe (Ireland) safely retained his race leader's jersey. Munroe retains his nine-second advantage over Michel Murray (Ulster) going into today's 69.5-mile race from Westport to Achill. Maurice O'Brien, Minne and Stephen Halpin lead the points, mountains and first year junior classifications while Ireland are best team.
The 55-mile stage was marked by a dangerous seven-man breakaway group which went clear after 18 miles of racing and gained a minute. Amongst those present was Munroe's team-mate Adam Armstrong, who had started the day fourth overall - plus another Ireland rider, Fergus Keogh.
Although the bunch soon cut back their lead, the break persisted over the day's climbs, enabling a strong Dana Minne (South Africa) to take maximum points and leadership in the KOH competition. Behind, Munroe was involved in the chase, helping the bunch to get back on terms with four miles to go.
Seven other riders then tried to go clear, but there was a regrouping before the final bunch sprint, won by Bestebreurje.
To mountain biking, and both the cross-country and downhill championships will take place this Sunday. Robin Seymour is aiming to further extend a remarkable winning sequence of 11 consecutive victories in the XC event, while Tarja Owens wants to add to her 10 straight wins.
This year's course is a variation of the Kilruddery Estate circuit with riders ascending the little Sugarloaf climb and negotiating several testing descents.
The downhill championships will be held in Mount Hillary, Mallow. Talented young riders Jamie Popham and Ben Reid are expected to feature.
Meanwhile, Giant Asia professionals David McCann and Paul Griffin will line out tomorrow for the start of the Tour de Quinhai Lakes in China. Both have shown good form recently, with Griffin finishing second overall and winning a stage in the Tour of East Java. McCann is currently third in the Asia continental rankings.
Finally, Maurice O'Brien (Kanturk), Martin Munroe (Western Lakes) and Michael Murray (Clann Eireann) fly out to Italy on Monday in advance of the European Track Championships in Fiorenzuola on July 20th-24th.
FIXTURES: Saturday: Ballivor GP, starts 7.30pm. Munster time-trial/hill climb championships, Abbeyfeale. Contact Pat Lyons (087 6893571). Sunday: National XC MTB championships, Kilruddery Estate, Bray, noon. National DH MTB championships, Mount Hillary, Mallow, noon. Laois Grand Prix, Portlaoise, 1pm. Underage races at 11am. Munster road race championships, Abbeyfeale, Limerick. Starts noon. Abbeyfeale Town Races, Limerick. Starts 2.30pm.
