By JT Tomlinson

When eight nations are represented in the first ten places of a race, you might guess that the field was pretty good. Or else the race was held in an ‘international’ venue like New York City. The 2005 Mengoni Grand Prix was both. Reigning Irish national champion David O’Loughlin of the Navigators Insurance team won from a five-man break that got away with about two six-mile laps left on this fast course. The field, driven by the local GS Mengoni team, got close in the end – just seconds behind at the line – but a couple small crashes in the last lap and the horsepower up front proved too much to overcome. GS Mengoni, like the race itself, is sponsored by long-time cycling supporter Fred Mengoni.

The men’s 3 race developed differently, with local team CRCA-VisitBritain (part of the Century Road Club Association, which put on the event) keeping everything together for their sprinter, Anthony Lowe, who won handily.

The women’s race was much smaller, but attracted a good field including Canadian Olympian Lynn Bessette and two-time race winner Ashley Kimmet. It was animated by a two-lap break from Beth Renaud and Lisa Jellett, but in the end the bunch came together for a sprint, won explosively by Fuji’s Sarah Caravella

Photo Jaime Garcia