Devins continues winning form
YEATS Country Cycling Club’s Matthew Devins lined up at the start line of the recent PJ Logan Memorial cycle race for U16 riders as the red hot favourite.
Having been the dominant rider at the recent Rás Mayo Youth 2 Day Race all eyes were on the Collooney native.
A total of 25 riders took to the start line for 5 laps of a 11km circuit based near Coalisland Co. Tyrone.
Matthew went into the first lap with a wait and see approach.
To see who would make the early moves on this very hard and hilly 56km course.
After one lap Donal Walsh from the AAA club in Donegal put the pressure on one of the climbs.
This caused the group to fragment. Leaving 6 at the front which included Matthew.
This group continued for the next lap with all riders working well together.
With 3 laps to go Matthew decided that the group was too big so he put in a big attack on the 2nd last climb before the finish.
This caused the group to split into 2 leaving 3 riders at the front Donal Walsh and Arron Rafferty being the others. Arron is from the host club Island Wheelers and was recent best young rider at Rás Mayo. With 3 laps to go and sensing the other lads were tiring. Matthew put in a super effort just as the riders were about to crest the climb to the finish.
This seemed to take the other lads by surprise with Matthew instantly opening up 10 metres.
Donal was first to react but could only watch as Matthew rode away into the distance. Arron caught back up to Donal which should have meant they could work together but Arron was tired from his efforts and could only give Donal the odd turn at the front.
Meanwhile Matthew went into time trial mode and after a lap had already built a 1 minute lead on the other 2 riders. In the end Matthew came home 2 minutes clear in front of the large crowd that had assembled at the finish. Also in action for Yeats Country Cycling Club was Marcus Devins taking 8th in the U14 race and 2nd U13 rider.
MATTHEW CAME HOME 2 MINUTES CLEAR IN FRONT