Sherlock digs in to deliver in Mullingar

Ryan Sherlock (Cycleways CC) won the Mullingar two-day yesterday for the second year in a row after he won the 3.3-kilometre time trial by more than 20 seconds ahead of David Walsh (Slaney CC) and limited his losses in the afternoon’s third and final stage — but boy did he do it the hard way.

The Monaghan man lost the Kerry Group Rás Mumhan on the final day over the Easter weekend when he allowed a rival rider up the road — unbeknownst to himself — and yesterday a similar incident played out.

DID Dunboyne duo Timmy O’Regan and Fiachra O’Mhuire were close to Sherlock on GC going into the final 110-kilometre stage around Mullingar yesterday and though Sherlock was active himself, he allowed a dangerous break up the road that at one stage led by more than three minutes.

Timmy O’Regan was in that break, along with Robin Kelly (Waterford Racing CC) and they were just two of several riders who would have challenged for custody of the yellow jersey.

But Sherlock bided his time and, crucially, got some support in chasing down the break.

With 30 kilometres to go, the gap began to dwindle below two minutes — but still enough to worry Sherlock.

By that stage he realised that if he was to win he would have to chase by himself — very similar to what happened at Easter — only this time he was more fortunate.

He said: “I knew if I could get the gap down to under a minute with 10k to go I’d have a good chance of winning because I’d be able to see the break up the road and those who were sitting on me would try to bridge across and I’d have been able to sit on them then and we’d be all back together.”

But when a group of three up front broke away from a larger group, and O’Regan was in that trio, the situation became grave for Sherlock as mere seconds separated them.

Robin Kelly won the stage from Bohermeen rider Chris Reilly and O’Regan was next, five seconds behind. Then the bunch came in, and Sherlock was in it.

A quick chat with those at the finish confirmed the leaders were mere seconds ahead and he knew he’d done enough.

“It was a relief more than anything,” said Sherlock. “I’ve been close time and again this year and it’s hard with everyone sitting on me. I had great legs all weekend but when you have everyone attacking you all day it’s impossible to go with every move. But thankfully I got some help from a bunch of guys and that was a massive help.”