Team Microgaming Isle of Man sent a junior and senior team to the Suir Valley stage race in the Republic of Ireland last weekend. Christian Varley won the red jersey as best second category rider, while junior rider Jonathan Cregeen took home the blue jersey as the best rider in the third category and junior classification. Cregeen’s achievement matched that of Manxman Joe Kelly in the same race last year, a performance which helped Kelly gain a place on the Great Britain Olympic Academy squad. The Team Microgaming senior team - comprising Varley, Andrew Roche, Aaron Livsey and Colum O’Shea - also included Manxman Chris Nicholson who races on the continent for the Lotto Predictor VC Ardennes squad. The Team Microgaming juniors on the start line in County Tipperary were Cregeen, Thomas Mazzone, Warwick Sanderson and Jack Wolstencroft with team manager Gary Hinds looking after both Microgaming squads. Stage one - a 67 mile hilly run from Clonmel to Marlfield - incorporated the climb of the famous Vee after only 20 miles which saw Andrew Roche climb over the top in a break of three but was reeled in shortly after. Towards the end of the stage a break of 15 riders went clear containing Varley who eventually crossed the line ninth behind Herman Forche of South Africa who clipped away on the final run in to the line. Roche followed shortly after in a small chase group while further back strong performances from Chris Nicholson, Jonathon Cregeen, Thomas Mazzone and Colum O’Shea at two minutes showed great strength in depth at this level. Cregeen donned the blue jersey as the leading third category rider which incorporated all juniors. Day two featured a split stage beginnging with a 58 mile road race around Clonmel. A small break went clear towards the end with Paudi O’Brien taking the stage. Chris Nicholson finished sixth but overall the stage had little impact on the GC positions. Still recovering from the morning’s road race, the riders then faced stage three - a 1.1km time-trial up a short, steep climb ridden in wet conditions. Conor McConvey from the An Post pro continental team took the stage in an impressive 3mins 24secs which put him in the leader’s yellow jersey. Varley finished in a time of 3mins 37secs to claim seventh place and move up in the general classification to fifth place and into the red jersey as leading second category rider. Roche came in eight only three seconds behing Varley with Cregeen having the race of his life to come home 13th in 3mins 49secs and extend his lead in the blue jersey competition. The final stage covered 73 miles with the climb of the Glen of Aherlow tackled in pouring rain which made for some dangerous descents. Despite numerous breakaways and crashes it all came down to a bunch sprint with Nicholson claiming an excellent second place for Team Microgaming. Varley stayed in the red jersey and finished fifth overall, closely followed by Andy Roche in 14th, Chris Nicholson 21st and Cregeen in 22nd and in the blue jsersy for first of the third category and junior riders. Thomas Mazzzone finished just behind again in a solid 28th while the two other juniors - Warwick Sanderson and Jack Wolstencroft - rode with great spirit in their first event at this level to finish 71st and 100th respectively. Both Colum O Shea and Aaron Livsey rode very well in their role to support the team leaders. Team manager Gary Hinds singled out Cregeen for praise for his fine performance and positivie attitude throughout the race - but added that overall it was a great team effort and one that all the riders can be proud of. Microgaming has been the main sponsor of the Isle of Man national cycling team since 2008. This season the team is also supported by Eurocars which has supplied a team car for the squad. -ENDS -