Panduit Carrick Wheeler’s junior rider Cathal Purcell has taken his first win of the season in a rain soaked Dungarvan GP this weekend. The A3/Junior event was a 105 kilometre affair taking in 3 laps of Dungarvan’s “Colligan Circuit” with the race finishing on the climb. The race started rapidly with an early move forming within the first few kilometres breaking free from an eager bunch. As this move started to gain time over the main field Purcell sensed danger and jumped free from the peloton half way through lap one with another rider and bridged across to the early breakaway. The duo joining the break at the foot of the climb. Another lap past and the second time up the climb Purcell put in what was to be his race winning attack breaking clear with one other rider. Purcell would soon distance his breakaway companion turning onto the road to Millstreet where his lead was 15 seconds from the bunch. A remarkable ride over the next 20 kilometres saw Purcell etching out over a minute lead to the next rider on the line, taking what was a spectacular solo victory.
Elsewhere in the A1/2 event run over the same course U23 rider Jamie Blanchfield put in a good ride coming home in 5th place from the days breakaway. Blanchfield rode across to a dangerous move that had forged clear at the start of the second lap with the help of a handful of other riders. This proved to be the break of the day building up over a minute and a halves advantage at certain points leaving the group fight it out for the win up the climb on the last time of asking.
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