Brackens to the fore

It was a successful outing for the Ushers IRC team yesterday in the Newbridge Grand Prix as they had four men in the leading group of six at the finish; the Bracken brothers Colm and Sean were first and third.

With opportunities at other venues, only 26 first category licence holders signed on and they split on the first of six laps of a 10-mile circuit through Milltown and the Curragh when 12 went ahead.

At the end of the second lap 17 were together at the front but then eight drew clear with four of the new orange jersies of the Usher IRC team included. With the Bracken brothers were Paul Helion and Shane Baker along with Stephen O'Sullivan, Adrian Hedderman, David Peelo and Brian Lennon.

After Lennon dropped back the others all seemed likely to be overhauled as their lead never reached a minute; and with Paul McQuaid prominent in the chase the leaders could be seen by their pursuers.

Sean Bracken was caught before entering the finishing straight and then in the sprint to the line Colm Bracken got there ahead of O'Sullivan.

Newbridge Grand Prix (60 miles) - 1, C Bracken (Ushers IRC) 2:20:56; 2, S O'Sullivan (unattached); 3, S Bracken (Ushers IRC); 4, A Hedderman (Morrissey's); 5, P Helion (Ushers IRC); 6, S Baker (Ushers IRC) all same time.

Second category and veterans (50 miles) - 1, J Peppard (Swords) 2:03:11; 2, K Conlon (Newbridge); 3, S Byrne (Dublin Wh); 4, T Ferris (Dublin Wh); 5, D Lane (UCD); 6, A McFarland (Morrissey's). First veteran: S Lally (Swords). Juniors (40 miles) - 1, A O'Carroll (Bray) 1:40:38; 2, G Stapleton (Ushers IRC) at 28 secs; 3, T Ahera (Bray: 4, N Moloney (Ravens); 5, L Crawford (Cycleways).

Leinster League (on Saturday: 45 miles behind Dublin Airport) - 1, S Whelan (Swords) 1:54:16; 2, S Lally (Swords); 3, S Prendergast (Ushers IRC); 4, A O'Carroll (Bray); 5, C Bracken (Ushers IRC) at 15 secs; 6, D Peelo (Sorrento).