Matthew Walls, who much is expected from after his Junior Tour win, is clearly finding his legs after his international racing following his Leaving Cert (Photo: Damian Faulkner)
Matthew Walls (APS Pro Cycling by Team Cadence Cyclery) has completed a successful weekend of racing in Kilmessan, Co Meath, where he took the second of two wins today, Sunday.
The 19-year-old was first best in the short and sharp Maxi Maguire Cup, over 40km, on Saturday evening.
He was back at the same venue today for another Navan Road Club promotion, the Collins Christle Memorial, and also claimed victory.
Today, with about three laps remaining in the 83km race, Walls got across solo to a breakaway group that had gone clear a little earlier.
The group then rode hard for the next two to three laps to ensure they stayed away from the peloton.
However, on the final lap it split, with a small group going clear, including Gareth O’Neill (Athlete Nutrition Coach HD) and Ruairí Byrne of (UCD Cycling Club).
With about 5km to go, Walls got across to that group, attacking them and getting clear with Sean O’Kane (Orwell Wheelers).
Closer to the finish, Walls managed to shake off O’Kane to take a solo victory, completing a very strong weekend on home roads after recent races abroad with his UCI Continental team.
His win the previous evening unfolded in a very similar manner, though the action was all tighter and played out much closer to the finish.
In the closing stages, Walls jumped across to a group of three that was just off the front, going through them.
He then got up to lone leader, Tim O’Regan, and managed to distance him, before holding off the bunch to win.
Walls, who won the Quanta Capital Junior Tour of Ireland last year, now appears to be coming into his own, with some recent training and racing after finishing his Leaving Cert earlier in the summer.
More to come.