Darragh Long finally secured his maiden league win in the Road Race Champs last night, a week after Tom Blennerhassett took the gold in the 25TT Champs. For the women, Monica Marconi took the honours in the test, while Isabel Cogan bested her on the road.

The weather was remarkably seasonable for the 25TT Championship, with the sun beating down as the riders signed on at Black Bull. After missing out on gold by a mere 2" in the 10TT Champs, Tom Blennerhassett had his revenge on Eric Downey, putting 15" into the A1 rider in the 25TT to top the podium with 57'01". That result cements his status as one of the top testers in the club, much like a certain Liam Rowsome, who claimed bronze behind the pair with 57'51".


Blennerhassett is so fast, it's hard to catch him on camera! (courtesy of Isabel Cogan)

The next three finishers all secured sub-hour times - Lloyd Berry, first for Semi-scratch, Pat O'Brien, who claimed bronze in the 10TT, and Brian Doyle just nipped in at 59'59". Doyle was first of Semi-Limit, and his name stands out in the top ten amongst the Scratch and Semi-scratch riders - he'll be one to watch for next year! Fergal Daly claimed the Limit title uncontested.

For the women's medals, Monica Marconi faced off against Lucy Soden, the 10TT Champ. Marconi proved she had the better legs over the longer distance though, putting over a minute into her rival to earn the gold. Soden will have to be content with silver this time around.

Skipping forward to this week's race, the Road Race Championships took place in similar sunny weather. The Limit groups were given only a minute's advantage, yet the Scratch group - including defending champion Brian Ahern - were already playing coy, and didn't make the catch until Lacken. There the attacks began, before an early break stuck containing Ahern, Gavin Dodd, and Darragh Long.

They stayed away for about 10km, stretching their lead to over a minute, until the disorganised chasers of the bunch eventually reeled them back in. There was a lull in the action then, and Cormac Bracken made his move, quickly gaining about 10". Brian McArdle joined him, and the duo worked to keep the gap steady for about 10km, until Long bridged across solo.

The bunch were slowly gaining on the breakaway trio as the line neared, but all three put in strong efforts on the front to stay away. On the closing drag, Long and McArdle were neck and neck on the run-in, but when the junior rider kicked away, McArdle was too slow to follow. Bracken was very happy to get bronze.

Top sprinter Pat O'Brien lead the bunch in, with Philippe Bourdarias close behind displaying his finishing kick, and Tom Blennerhassett rounding out the placings after his gold the previous week.

In the medals for the women, it was again a duel between Monica Marconi and one other, but this time her rival was Isabel Cogan. It was not to be a second gold for Marconi though - Cogan has already shown her road pedigree with her Boyne GP win, and the top ten spot in the National Champs, and on Thursday she proved it beyond a shadow of a doubt with a battling performance.


Long a country mile ahead of McArdle in the sprint (courtesy of Damien Long)


O'Brien and the bunch (courtesy of Damien Long)

Long dazzled in the league last month, when only the club's top A1 rider could keep him at bay. He's been riding for the Nicolas Roche Performance Team since its formation before the 2013 season. His most recent appearance for them was in the recent Junior Tour, which Long says did him "a world of good", and taught him a lot about racing. He credits the team for giving him a lot of advice, and was quick to thank his father, Orwell's own Damien Long, who was himself a feisty junior not too long ago.

Long Jr's next stops are the Suir Valley 3 Day over the August Bank Holiday, and the Junior National Champs a few weeks later. With the club champs now on his palmarès, we reckon he'll be adding to them further before long, and for long into the future!

Thanks to the organisers and marshalls for a great night and a well-run race, particularly those who sacrificed their chance to race by volunteering. Your work is very much appreciated!


Orwell 25TT Medallists 2013

Men:
Gold: Tom Blennerhassett @ 57:01
Silver: Eric Downey @ 57:16
Bronze: Liam Rowsome @ 57:51

Women:
Gold: Monica Marconi @ 67:07
Silver: Lucy Soden @ 68:21

Orwell League R14: 25TT Champs (Black Bull)

Limit:
1 Fergal Daly 65.20

Semi-limit:
1 Brian Doyle 59.59
2 Seamus Nolan 63.26
3 Julian Moore 64.40
4 Ivan O'Brien 65.17
5 Owen O'Flaherty 66.57
6 Colum Bradley 67.01

Semi-Scratch:
1 Lloyd Berry 58.40
2 Nick Watson 60.14
3 Jamie Busher 60.20
4 Donal Brady 61.04
5 Cormac Bracken 61.42
6 Oisín Boland 64.43

Scratch:
1 Tom Blennerhassett 57.01
2 Eric Downey 57.16
3 Liam Rowsome 57.51
4 Pat O'Brien 59.22
5 Valdis Andersons 60.34
6 Neal Hudson 60.48

Unplaced Woman:
Monica Marconi 67.07


Orwell Road Race Medallists 2013

Men:
Gold: Darragh Long
Silver: Brian McArdle
Bronze: Cormac Bracken

Women:
Gold: Isabel Cogan
Silver: Monica Marconi

Orwell League R15: Road Race Champs (Brittas)

1 Darragh Long (S)
2 Brian McArdle (S)
3 Cormac Bracken (SS)
4 Pat O'Brien (S)
5 Philippe Bourdarias (S)
6 Tom Blennerhassett (S)

Unplaced Woman:
Isabel Cogan