Norgrove outpaces Listowel field to record finest win of career

KEN NORGROVE recorded the biggest win of his cycling career as he out-paced the field to claim the 121-kilometre Gene Moriarty in Listowel yesterday.

The All Systems/Dublin Wheelers CC man was with the leaders from the off, and once he upped the pace, only Rory Wyley of the Dan Morrissey/Carrick Wheelers stayed in touch.

Race favourite Eugene Moriarty could do no better than 8th place, but he has now gone into the lead in the Goulding Classic League.

On Saturday in Cork, Moriarty got an action-packed cycling weekend off to a flying start when he claimed his first national senior title at the Monahan Road Circuit, where St. Finbarr’s CC hosted the national criterium championship.

The Listowel man sprinted clear on the penultimate lap to win by eight seconds from Conor Murphy and Paddy Moriarty at the end of an action-packed race.

For a moment it appeared as if a home victory was on the cards when Tim Barry from nearby Passage West, riding for the Dan Morrissey Carrick Wheelers, who was in 10-man lead group sprinted clear of the field going into the second last lap. It was then the power of the cycleways.com team was evident as Aidan Crowley gave chase. He hunted Barry down and when they caught the leader Eugene Moriarty attacked out of the group and, going out on the final circuit, it was clear he was not going to be denied.

His victory gave him the championship gold medal that had eluded him throughout his career. His collection includes a bronze medal from the senior road race championship as well as silver and bronze medals from time trials, hill climbs and criterium championships.

And it was a case of double gold this time around as his cycleways.com team took the team title with Stephen O’Sullivan, winner of the criterium championship the last time the event was held in Cork, and Aidan Crowley completed the scoring.

They will all be in action again today in the Crotty Cup in Kilrush.