Sevastopulo times to perfection to take Leinster honours

Junior George Sevastopulo, Sundrive Track Team, produced a decisive late attack to win the 2026 Leinster Road Race in Clonard, Co. Meath on Sunday, beating a strong senior field.

The 18-year-old went clear with around 2kms remaining, attacking out of the final corner and holding off the chase to take both the overall and junior titles.

Padraig Moran, Pinergy Orwell Wheelers, finished second, with Rhys Kenny, UCD Cycling, third.

Hosted by Clonard Road Club, the combined C1, C2, C3 and Junior Men set out for the six laps of a 12.5km circuit (approximately 75km).

Conditions were warm and dry with little wind on the fast, rolling course that featured just 46m of climbing per lap and one narrow technical section.

A strong field included reigning champion Cian Keogh, APS Pro Cycling by Team Cadence Cyclery, Luke Smith, Moynalty CC, Josh Callaly, Velo Performance U23 Development Team, and 2026 Junior Tour winner Rían McCrystal, Cannibal – Victorious U19 Development Team, amongst others in this quality starting line up.

The race was fast and aggressive from the start, with frequent attacks. Sevastopulo among those up the road, while Padraig Moran featured in several moves.

Race interrupted

The race was halted for around 30 minutes near the end of the opening lap after a crash in Race 2 behind required an ambulance and blocked the road.

Once restarted, the bunch stayed together through lap two before the attacks resumed.

On the penultimate lap a dangerous move containing Keogh, Smith and Jack Woods, Crabbé-Dstny, gained a solid gap. The were absolutely flying. The reigning Leinster Champion not about to give up his title without a fight.

However, the bunch closed it down with about 5km to go on the final circuit.

Late attack decides it

Everything came back together inside that last 5km amid some hesitation. Attacks were going. Sevastopulo rode across and then kicked clear out of the final corner with roughly 2km remaining and went full gas to the line.

I kicked out of the the last corner and went full gas for the last 2km. And won.

George Sevastopulo, Sundrive Track Team

Kenny closed to within “five bike lengths” and tried to time his effort for a late pass, while Moran put his head down on the finishing stretch, moving from third to second in the closing metres.

Neither could catch the Sundrive Track Team rider though, who had timed his effort to perfection to become the 2026 Leinster Champion ahead of the heavens opening up for a late-summer downpour!

Race highlights

Men’s Podium

1. George Sevastopulo – Sundrive Track Team
2. Padraig Moran – Pinergy Orwell Wheelers
3. Rhys Kenny – UCD Cycling Club

C1 Podium

1. Padraig Moran – Pinergy Orwell Wheelers
2. Rhys Kenny – UCD Cycling Club
3. Ruairi Woods – Burren CC

Junior Men’s Podium

1. George Sevastopulo – Sundrive Track Team
2. Rían McCrystal – Cannibal – Victorious U19 Development Team
3. Jack Woods – Crabbé-Dstny 

C2 Podium

1. Sam Curtis – Clondalkin CC
2. Jake Bickerdike – Athy Wheelers
3. Kresimir Kusic – Starsky Cycling Club

C3 Podium

1. Ihnatii Melnyk – Bray Wheelers
2. Ian Lambden – Team Dan Morrissey Pissei

Women’s Podium

1. Jennifer Neenanan – UCD Cycling Club
2. Joanne Ní Mhathuna – Gorey Cycling Club

Junior Women’s Podium

1. Holly McCaffrey – Team Luc Wallays-Jonge Renners
2. Clodagh Molyneaux – Bohermeen CC
3. Aoibhe Reilly – Bohermeen CC

Masters 40

1. Ronan Killeen – Lucan CRC
2. Bryan Geary – St Tiernan’s CC
3. Paul Norton – Bike Fit Studio

Masters 50

1. Joseph Sheehy – Bray Wheelers
2. Brian Maher – Slaney CC
3. Fergus Whelan – Unattached Leinster

Masters 60

1. Colm Bracken – Kilcullen CC Murphy Geospatial
2. Paul Murtagh – Lakeside Wheelers
3. David Fagan – Lakeside Wheelers