Tony Doyle (Track Commission) presents Stephen McNally with his gold medal and national champions jersey after the Veterans National Track Championships at Sundrive Road

McNally takes Vets national track title

National Vets Track Omnium, Sundrive, Saturday 29th August

Twenty-four years after he won the national pursuit title at Sundrive Road, Stephen McNally won his second national gold medal at the same venue when he took victory in the Veteran's Track Championships on Saturday 29 August.

The Vets track title is fought out in an omnium of five events and McNally won three times and edged his closest rival in four races to secure the title.

Having returned to track action this year after almost a quarter of a century away, McNally scooped the Sundrive Track League at his first attempt and made the Vets Championships the focus of recent training. Second to Staggs Lucan CRC rider Brendan Whelan in the first round 200m Flying TT, McNally then took his expected win in the 2km Pursuit with Whelan second.

The Scratch race went McNally's way when he soloed clear in the closing stages to establish a small points advantage.

The round four Points race was a tense, tactical affair with McNally and Whelan never more than a few feet apart throughout. Orwell's Eddie Lynch raced clear in a three up group which lapped the field and used his renowned kick to scoop the majority of points.

McNally was sixth, one place ahead of Whelan which meant that the two were just two points apart heading to the concluding 500m Time Trial.

Whelan was second fastest with 38.44s before McNally went off last knowing that third place would be enough for the title. He more than achieved that target as he clinched the title with a final flourish, stopping the clocks in a new national outdoor record time of 37.81s.

Lynch's victory in the points race helped him to sixth overall in the final standings. Afterwards McNally paid tribute to Lynch's help in the scratch race as he reflected on achieving one of his major season goals.

"I've really enjoyed riding the track again this year and I'm delighted to have won this title after focusing on track work in training lately," said McNally. "The outgoing champion Aidan Ryan is an old friend and he was very helpful with advice. I also got invaluable support from Eddie in the Scratch race and all in all it was a great day out. The track commission did their usual top job of organising the racing and they deserve great credit for producing a season of great sport."

Click here for a full report from trackcycling.ie.

Veterans Track Champion Stephen McNally flanked by silver medal winner Brendan Whelan, Staggs Lucan (right) and bronze medalist Alan Neenan, Usher IRC


Results

EVENT 1 - 200m TT

1. Brendan Whelan (Lucan) 12.25s
2. Stephen McNally (Orwell Wheelers DTC) 12.31s
3. Paul Swenarton (North Down) 12.81s
4. Terry Cromer (Sundrive) 13.07s
5. Alan Neenan (Usher) 13.13s
6. John Moran (Ravens) 13.37s
9. Eddie Lynch (Orwell Wheelers DTC) 13.69s

EVENT 2 - Scratch

1. Stephen McNally (Orwell Wheelers DTC)
2. Brendan Whelan (Lucan)
3. Alan Neenan (Usher)
4. Eddie Lynch (Orwell Wheelers DTC)
5. David Cassidy (unatt)
6. Colm Maye (Clonard)

EVENT 3 - 2km Pursuit

1. Stephen McNally (Orwell Wheelers DTC) 2.35.64s
2. Brendan Whelan (Lucan) 2.42.41s
3. Paul Swenarton (North Down) 2.44.34s
4. Alan Neenan (Usher) 2.45.77s
5. Terry Cromer (Sundrive) 2.51.63s
6. Eddie Lynch (Orwell Wheelers DTC) 2.54.03s

EVENT 4 - Points

1. Eddie Lynch (Orwell Wheelers DTC)
2. Anto Moran (Ravens)
3. Terry Cromer (Sundrive)
4. Alan Neenan (Usher)
5. John Moran (Ravens)
6. Stephen McNally (Orwell Wheelers DTC)
7. Brendan Whelan (Lucan)

EVENT 5 - 500m TT

1. Stephen McNally (Orwell Wheelers DTC) 37.81s*
2. Terry Cromer (Sundrive) 38.30s
3. Brendan Whelan (Lucan) 38.44s
4. John Moran (Ravens) 39.73s
5. Paul Swenarton (North Down) 40.09s
6. Alan Neenan (Usher) 40.21s
9. Eddie Lynch (Orwell Wheelers DTC) 42.09s

* New National Outdoor Veterans Record

Final Overall After 5 Events

1. Stephen McNally (Orwell Wheelers DTC) 11 points
2. Brendan Whelan (Lucan) 15 points
3. Alan Neenan (Usher) 22 points
4. Terry Cromer (Sundrive) 23 points
5. Paul Swenarton (North Down) 29 points
6. Eddie Lynch (Orwell Wheelers DTC) 29 points