CYCLING/News: Italian Alessandro Guerra raced to a fine victory yesterday on the streets of Bray, winning the three-up sprint which decided the gruelling 97-mile Swiftpost Shay Elliot Memorial.
The Endurasport.com and Principia professional had been part of a small group of riders who attacked and raced clear before the halfway point, but then pressed on ahead with three others on the stiff climb of the Old Wicklow Gap.
With the field wilting behind, Guerra, Richie Cahill and the Hibernian Team Ireland duo of Tim Barry and Paddy Moriarty worked well together to open a decisive lead, with just Brian Kenneally and Eugene Moriarty able to bridge the gap.
There was a shake-up again on the steep climb of Drumgoff and Glenmalure, and after the descent Guerra, Cahill and Eugene Moriarty joined forces to ensure they stayed clear.
Moriarty attacked several times on the run in towards the finish, but on the streets of Bray it was Guerra who proved faster in the uphill dash to the line.
Elsewhere, Robin Seymour and Jenny McCauley rode well to secure world ranking points in the E1-ranked Brianza Cup in Italy.
Lewis Ferguson recorded his best international performance to date when he was a fine 14th in the junior event.
David O'Loughlin climbed strongly on the penultimate stage of the Tour of Georgia and was 16th overall going into the final day of the event, America's biggest stage race.
Shay Elliot Memorial (Wicklow (1.5): 1, Alessandro Guerra (Endura Sport.com/Principia) 97 miles in 3 hours 53 mins 45 secs (24.77 mph); 2, E. Moriarty (Lee Strand Cycleways) at 2 secs; 3, R. Cahill (Banteer CC) at 4 secs; 4, B. Kenneally (Cidona Carrick Wheelers) at 14 secs; 5, P. Moriarty (Hibernian Team Ireland) at 30 secs; 6, T. Barry (Hibernian Team Ireland) at 2 mins 36 secs; 7, A. Donnelan (Dublin Wheelers) at 2 min 40 secs; 8, H. Hutchinson (Scotland) at 2 mins 48 secs; 9, K. McMahon (Hibernian Team Ireland) at 4 mins 31 secs; 10, D. Lynch (Kanturk Credit Union) same time
Tour of Georgia (general classification after stage 4): 1, Chris Horner (Saturn) 19 hours 57 mins 57 secs; 2, N. O'Neill (Saturn) at 12 secs; 3, Green, at 18 secs; 4, Rodriguez, same time; 5, Barry, at 21 secs Other: 16, O'Loughlin, at 1 min 46 secs; 84, Power, at 24 mins 4 secs
