European Youth Olympic Festival - Road Race Results
(Photo by UEC)
Olympic Federation of Ireland: 29.07.2022
Another top ten finish for Sam Coleman in the Boy’s Road Race rounded off an excellent week of racing for the Irish cyclists, coming away from the EYOF with four top ten finishes.
In the 57.8km Girl’s Road Race Aine Doherty was the highest Irish finisher in 25th place, with Aliyah Rafferty and Mya Doocey 41st and 69th respectively. With one significant climb on the circuit, and the finish line in the centre of the town, it was recipe for good racing. The race was neutralised up the climb for the first few kilometres, and on the next time around the Dutch drove hard leaving a gap to the rest of the peloton, with the Irish just missing out on this select group.
In the 65.8 km Boy’s Road Race Sam Coleman finished tenth in the sprint for gold, in a race that was won by Belgium, with Poland rounding off the podium with silver and bronze. The Orchard CC cyclist was in the lead group for much of the race with his clubmate Seth Dunwoody, who raced strong throughout, but couldn’t get away. Dunwoody was caught up in a crash 800m from the finish, so placed 27th. Patrick Casey, who rides for Anexo Group Race Team was in the next group back in 33rd place. Blanchfield highlighted the mature and composed racing of the team saying,
“The guys followed the plan. On the first gap everyone was eager to push on the race, but they stayed back and saved themselves. Patrick was unlucky to get caught in a crash that he got back on to get back into the bunch. Seth was second or third wheel going up the climb and in a strong group which fractured away, but it came together on the descent. Sam did really well to finish in the sprint for gold, finishing tenth. This caps off a really great week for the boys, with each of them coming away with a top ten. Four top tens for the team.”