In pictures: 16-year-old wins in Round The Houses Cycle race in Ballyshannon

The 10th running of the Round the Houses Cycle Race in Ballyshannon on Thursday evening was won by 16-year-old Liam Johnston from the Strabane Lifford Cycling Club.

Johnston was part of a four-man breakaway group that went clear on the first of the eight laps and they took the bell in a four-man line for the final lap. Please click on the arrows to see the gallery

But when it came to the uphill finish for the last time, Johnston pulled two bike lengths clear to record his first-ever win.

He came home just ahead of Michael Pickles of Lakeland with Four Masters Cycling Club’s Gerard Baxter in third place. Kieran O’Donnell of Errigal CC was a very close fourth.

Erica Murray of Yeats County Cycling Club, Sligo was winner of the ladies race. Conditions for the race were good with the threatening rain staying away.

Speaking after his win, Johnston was very excited about the win. He said: “This is the first circuit race I have ever won. I was here last year, but I wasn’t expecting much. This was only my second race this year.  I had a crash there in April in a club race outside my house and I haven’t been racing like this since,” said Johnston, who doesn’t know what the future will hold.

“I’m doing my A levels next year, so this is a wee pastime. I would like to go on and do pharmacy. I enjoy the racing and do a wee bit whenever I can. I’m glad it stayed dry for it. I’m definitely very happy with the win.”