Seth Dunwoody outsprinted defending champion Rory Townsend (Unibet Rose Rockets) to win the elite men’s title at the Irish Road Championships in Cong, County Mayo, on Sunday.
The 20-year-old rider for the Bahrain Victorious Development team claimed the biggest victory of his career, after finishing a very close second at U23 Paris-Roubaix and U23 In Flanders Fields – In Ieper/Kattekoers earlier this year.
High winds and several tough climbs split the peloton in the early stages of the 171km race, with the initial group of 20 riders being slowly whittled down throughout the day.
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The final selection of four riders, with Dunwoody, Townsend, Finn Crocket (VolkerWessels) and Conn McDunphy (APS) pulled away in the final 28km lap.
The four sped towards the line with Townsend launching his sprint early with 200m to go, but Dunwoody was able to come over the top and take the win. A disappointed Townsend was second while Crockett dropped McDunphy to round out the podium.
“I’ve had a lot of close run-ins this year in the big races, which has been tough, but to open the account at nationals is incredible,” Dunwoody told Cycling Ireland.
“I wasn’t expecting Rory to go so early. I really, really had to dig deep, giving up wasn’t an option, to be honest. It’s been a tough year. I lost my granny over Christmas, which was super tough. I really, really wanted to win a big race for her. And then second in Roubaix and Ghent was really tough, but I knew I have big plans for the future.”
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Dunwoody remembered Shane O’Brien, a 17-year-old junior Irish cyclist who died in a training accident a few weeks ago.
“I think, on all Irish cyclists, and especially being good friends with [Shane’s brother] Liam. It was tough.”
“So, yeah, giving up wasn’t an option, you know? I’m not just doing it for myself or riding the bike for myself, you know? I have my whole family down here, a lot of supporters, a lot of people backing me, and I mainly do it for them. I just enjoy riding the bike for fun, and to have so many people in my corner means a lot.”
