Not a bother: Paidi O’Brien has plenty to spare at the finish in Killorglin
By Brian Canty
Former An Post-Sean Kelly rider Paidi O’Brien blasted to victory on the opening stage of the ‘Kerry Group Rás Mumhan’ into Killorglin this evening, Friday, putting his deadly kick to good use on the sharp uphill finishing straight.
He out-sprinted second placed Denis Bakker (Ruiter Dakkapellen), with local man Dan Clifford (DID Dunboyne) taking third.
O’Brien, now riding for the Dan Morrissey-Speedy Spokes outfit, won the final stage here last year and took off in this evening’s opener of the 2012 edition in the same manner.
He profited from some selfless work by his team-mates at the front when they set up the win after an 11-man group was reeled in with around 10km to go and a two-man escape broke clear at the very end.
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“The team rode excellently,” O’Brien beamed at the finish.
“I knew I had a good chance if I could get the position right. I was worried about being in the right spot coming in there. I knew I had a good turn of speed and the lads were very good to put me where I needed to be.”
“Timmy Barry helped to close a gap to a couple of guys who were away, and Fitzy (Mick Fitzgerald) and Joe Fenlon tried to keep me out of the wind. Joe gave it a good dig down into the bridge to get me to about fourth and I kicked then and didn’t look back. There was a small few gaps in the top four so I had to go early if I wanted the win and thank God it paid off.”
The Banteer native wears the yellow jersey for tomorrow’s Queen stage, where a summit finish atop the Connor Pass is expected to wreak havoc on the peloton.
Today’s stage of 101km started at 4pm from Killorglin and was a fast affair, with speeds regularly over 55kph for long periods on the flat.
While delighted with his win after such a good team performance, it wasn’t all plain sailing for O’Brien’s Cork-based squad.
Defending champion Sean Lacey didn’t have such a good day, crashing with 10km to go and losing time after having been very active earlier in the race, going clear in some moves and mixing it up on the KOH primes.
“There was a crash before Milltown, about 10km to go and he got caught up in it,” O’Brien said of the defending champion.
“He’s not hurt but he didn’t get back up to the front. But with the Connor Pass stage tomorrow he’s still in a good position.”
Lacey, Connor Murphy (Eurocycles) and Michael Barry (Cuchulainn) went clear after around 30kms of racing and were to stay away for over 50kms before their lead was wiped out shortly after the race passed through Castleisland.
However, while the trio didn't make it to the finish to share the spoils, their escape at least enabled them to mop up some valuable KOH points, with Murphy leading that competition after today's stage.
While he was to get caught up in the crash with Lacey closer to the finish, both riders looked very strong today and are likely to feature heavily in coming days despite their bad fortune today.
Tomorrow’s second stage features four categorised climbs with the category one ascent of the Connor Pass after 120 kilometers set to really shake up the general classification.
This evening after Stage 1, O’Brien has both the GC lead and points jerseys while Connor Murphy (Eurocycles) has the KOH jersey, with stage runner up Bakker leading the U23 classification.
See full results under the following set of photos.
All photos by Pat Doherty.
Connor Murphy digs deep in the day’s main escape to take valuable KOH points
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He looked strong today and finished with the leaders despite a crash late on
Sean Lacey is also in form, seen here in the escape, but would lose 49 seconds due to that late crash
The front of the main group goes over the climb after the leaders
It’s strung out as the bunch chases the three leaders over the top of the climb
It’s never easy in Kerry, is it?
It’s packed tight a little further down the group
Paidi O’Brein looking relaxed going over the top
Meanwhile, further back the breathing is a bit deeper
Waller Cup winner Tim O’Regan tucked into the bunch nicely
O’Brien still has that kick and takes the win by a few lengths
Connor Murphy gets his KOH jersey, he’s definitely in good condition
The podium in Killorglin this evening: Connor Murphy (KOH), Denis Bakker second on stage and U23 leader, stage winner Paidi O’Brien in yellow and Dan Clifford (far right) third on the stage. (Photo: Ras Mumhan)
Stage 1 Results
| Position | No | Rider | Team | Category | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 2 | Paidi O Brien | DAN MORRISSEY SPEEDY SPOKES A | A1 | 2.18'47" | 5" |
| 2. | 95 | Dennis Bakker | RUITER DAKKAPELLEN WIELERETEAM | A1 | 2.18'47" | 3" |
| 3. | 150 | Daniel Clifford | DID DUNBOYNE B | A1 | 2.18'47" | 1" |
| 4. | 53 | Michael Hennessey | FERMOY CC | A1 | 2.18'47" | |
| 5. | 114 | John Lynch | KILCULLEN A | A1 | 2.18'47" | |
| 6. | 145 | Eugene Moriarty | DID DUNBOYNE | A1 | 2.18'47" | |
| 7. | 165 | Alex Camier | SURREY A | A1 | 2.18'47" | |
| 8. | 99 | Bram Imming | RUITER DAKKAPELLEN WIELERETEAM | A1 | 2.18'47" | |
| 9. | 100 | Robert Jan Mol | WEST FRISIA | A1 | 2.18'47" | |
| 10. | 91 | George Harper | FELT COLBORNES RT | A1 | 2.18'47" | |
| 11. | 49 | Eoghan Considine | BLACK ROSE RACING | A2 | 2.18'47" | |
| 12. | 92 | John Wager | FELT COLBORNES RT | A1 | 2.18'47" | |
| 13. | 104 | Sven Broekart | WEST FRISIA | A1 | 2.18'47" | |
| 14. | 20 | David Kenneally | FINANCE FIRST/WILLS WHEELS CORK COUNTY A | A1 | 2.18'47" | |
| 15. | 37 | Ryan Sherlock | IVERK PRODUCE CARRICK WHEELERS | A1 | 2.18'47" | |
| 16. | 7 | Adam Armstrong | EUROCYCLES | A1 | 2.18'47" | |
| 17. | 134 | Michael Lucey | IVERK PRODUCE CARRICK WHEELERS | A2 | 2.18'47" | |
| 18. | 18 | Dave Coughlan | ORWELL WHEELERS B | A2 | 2.18'47" | |
| 19. | 163 | Allan Ridler | SURREY | A1 | 2.18'47" | |
| 20. | 97 | Teun Geodhart | RUITER DAKKAPELLEN WIELERETEAM | A1 | 2.18'47" | |
| 21. | 157 | Mark Power | TRALEE BC | A2 | 2.18'47" | |
| 22. | 66 | Joe Fenlon | DAN MORRISSEY SPEEDY SPOKES B | A1 | 2.18'47" | |
| 23. | 21 | Brian Long | FINANCE FIRST/WILLS WHEELS CORK COUNTY A | A3 | 2.18'47" | |
| 24. | 59 | Denis Dunworth | VISIT NENAGH | A2 | 2.18'47" | |
| 25. | 101 | Silvan Buis | WEST FRISIA | A1 | 2.18'47" | |
| 26. | 98 | Mike Tesselaar | RUITER DAKKAPELLEN WIELERETEAM | A1 | 2.18'47" | |
| 27. | 30 | Damian Lagan | LK BIKES DONEGAL | A2 | 2.18'47" | |
| 28. | 10 | Will McCabe | EUROCYCLES | A2 | 2.18'47" | |
| 29. | 89 | Elliott Baxter | MICROGAMING ISLE OF MAN | A1 | 2.18'47" | |
| 30. | 85 | Andrew Roche | MICROGAMING ISLE OF MAN | A1 | 2.18'47" | |
| 31. | 103 | Tom Van der Meer | WEST FRISIA | A1 | 2.18'47" | |
| 32. | 182 | Robin Kelly | WATERFORD RC | A1 | 2.18'47" | |
| 33. | 13 | Patrick O Brien | ORWELL WHEELERS A | A2 | 2.18'47" | |
| 34. | 94 | Andy Betts | FELT COLBORNES RT | A1 | 2.18'47" | |
| 35. | 179 | Tom Stockdale | PRIMAL EUROPE | A1 | 2.18'47" | |
| 36. | 154 | Kieth Walls | DID DUNBOYNE C | A2 | 2.18'47" | |
| 37. | 3 | Tim Barry | DAN MORRISSEY SPEEDY SPOKES A | A1 | 2.18'47" | |
| 38. | 43 | Eoin McCarthy | ASFRA RACING TEAM | A2 | 2.18'47" | |
| 39. | 64 | Matt Slattery | KILLARNEY CC | A2 | 2.18'47" | |
| 40. | 93 | John Heaton Armstrong | FELT COLBORNES RT | A1 | 2.18'47" | |
| 41. | 181 | Wayne Coombs | PRIMAL EUROPE | A1 | 2.18'47" | |
| 42. | 125 | Art Mac Manusa | SOUTH DUBLIN CC | A2 | 2.18'47" | |
| 43. | 146 | Fiacra O Muire | DID DUNBOYNE | A1 | 2.18'47" | |
| 44. | 142 | Tim O Regan | DID DUNBOYNE | A1 | 2.18'47" | |
| 45. | 138 | Ian Richardson | UCD | A3 | 2.18'47" | |
| 46. | 124 | Pardaig Marrey | WESTERN LAKES CC A | A1 | 2.18'47" | |
| 47. | 185 | Colin Parry | PRIMAL EUROPE | A1 | 2.18'47" | |
| 48. | 87 | Aaron Livsey | MICROGAMING ISLE OF MAN | A1 | 2.18'47" | |
| 49. | 132 | John O Shea | IVERK PRODUCE CARRICK WHEELERS | A2 | 2.18'47" | |
| 50. | 176 | Ciaran Clarke | CASTLEBAR TF ROYAL HOTEL ANDTHEATRE | A2 | 2.18'47" | |
| 51. | 88 | Darren Bell | MICROGAMING ISLE OF MAN | A1 | 2.18'47" | |
| 52. | 106 | Mateo Cassini | TEAM 100RPM | A1 | 2.18'47" | |
| 53. | 36 | Peter Rimmer | MULLINGAR LAKESIDE WHEELERS | A2 | 2.18'47" | |
| 54. | 164 | Roger Smith | SURREY | A1 | 2.18'47" | |
| 55. | 155 | Hugh McMahon | DID DUNBOYNE C | A3 | 2.18'47" | |
| 56. | 144 | Andrew Meehan | DID DUNBOYNE | A1 | 2.18'47" | |
| 57. | 160 | Chris McNamara | SURREY | A1 | 2.18'47" | |
| 58. | 133 | Martin Mizgajski | IVERK PRODUCE CARRICK WHEELERS | A1 | 2.18'47" | |
| 59. | 107 | Giorgio Musante | TEAM 100RPM | A1 | 2.18'47" | |
| 60. | 140 | Mike Brookfield | UCD | A2 | 2.18'47" | |
| 61. | 156 | Paul Griffin | TRALEE BC | A1 | 2.18'47" | |
| 62. | 147 | Mark Dowling | DID DUNBOYNE B | A1 | 2.18'47" | |
| 63. | 130 | Michael Barry | CUCHULAINN CC | A1 | 2.18'47" | |
| 64. | 102 | Tino Haakmann | WEST FRISIA | A1 | 2.18'47" | |
| 65. | 8 | Thomas Martin | EUROCYCLES | A1 | 2.18'47" | |
| 66. | 167 | Michael Storan | WEST CLARE CC | A1 | 2.18'47" | |
| 67. | 153 | John Mason | DID DUNBOYNE C | A2 | 2.18'47" | |
| 68. | 6 | Conor Murphy | EUROCYCLES | A1 | 2.18'47" | |
| 69. | 67 | John Horgan | DAN MORRISSEY SPEEDY SPOKES B | A2 | 2.18'47" | |
| 70. | 16 | Diarmuid Collins | ORWELL WHEELERS B | A2 | 2.18'47" | |
| 71. | 63 | John McCarthy | THE EDGE SPORTS | A2 | 2.18'47" | |
| 72. | 173 | Jean-Michel Lamy | VC CHAILLY | A1 | 2.18'47" | |
| 73. | 19 | Stephen Surdival | SPORTMEDICALIRELAND/ENDURANCE STATE | A2 | 2.18'47" | |
| 74. | 86 | Graeme Hatcher | MICROGAMING ISLE OF MAN | A1 | 2.18'47" | |
| 75. | 127 | Denis Lynch | KANTURK CREDIT UNION CC | A2 | 2.18'47" | |
| 76. | 79 | Edward Barry | BLARNEY CCB | A1 | 2.18'47" | |
| 77. | 174 | Stephen Butler | VISIT NEHAGH B | A2 | 2.18'47" | |
| 78. | 12 | Dan Whiting | ORWELL WHEELERS A | A2 | 2.18'47" | |
| 79. | 56 | Michael Butler | VISIT NENAGH | A2 | 2.18'47" | |
| 80. | 115 | Dave Peelo | KILCULLEN A | A1 | 2.18'47" | |
| 81. | 34 | Damien Shaw | MULLINGAR LAKESIDE WHEELERS | A1 | 2.18'47" | |
| 82. | 57 | Richard Hooton | VISIT NENAGH | A1 | 2.18'47" | |
| 83. | 68 | Niall Brosnan | DAN MORRISSEY SPEEDY SPOKES B | A1 | 2.18'47" | |
| 84. | 45 | Geoff Sheehan | SOUTH DUBLIN CC | A2 | 2.18'47" | |
| 85. | 14 | Odhran Connors | ORWELL WHEELERS A | A2 | 2.18'47" | |
| 86. | 35 | John Murray | MULLINGAR LAKESIDE WHEELERS | A1 | 2.18'47" | |
| 87. | 180 | James Smith | PRIMAL EUROPE | A1 | 2.19'08" | 21" |
| 88. | 4 | Mick Fitzgerald | DAN MORRISSEY SPEEDY SPOKES A | A1 | 2.19'14" | 27" |
| 89. | 1 | Sean Lacey | DAN MORRISSEY SPEEDY SPOKES A | A1 | 2.19'36" | 49" |
| 90. | 50 | Charles Prendergast | CUNGA CC | A1 | 2.19'36" | 49" |
| 91. | 184 | Adam Bright | PRIMAL EUROPE | A1 | 2.20'01" | 1'14" |
| 92. | 175 | Chris Coyle | CASTLEBAR TF ROYAL HOTEL ANDTHEATRE | A1 | 2.22'09" | 3'22" |
| 93. | 137 | Colm Cassidy | UCD | A1 | 2.25'43" | 6'56" |
| 94. | 161 | Ben Moores | SURREY | A1 | 2.26'29" | 7'42" |
| 95. | 9 | Paul Mulligan | EUROCYCLES | A1 | 2.26'58" | 8'11" |
| 96. | 96 | Rick Van Breda | RUITER DAKKAPELLEN WIELERETEAM | A1 | 2.27'00" | 8'13" |
| 97. | 74 | Alan Loftus | BLARNEY CCA | A2 | 2.27'00" | 8'13" |
| 98. | 143 | Aidan Crowley | DID DUNBOYNE | A1 | 2.27'03" | 8'16" |
| 99. | 25 | Brian Canty | FINANCE FIRST/WILLS WHEELS CORK COUNTY B | A2 | 2.27'03" | 8'16" |
| 100. | 29 | Colm Quinn | CUCHULAINN CC | A1 | 2.27'04" | 8'17" |
| 101. | 46 | David Walsh | SLANEY CC | A1 | 2.27'04" | 8'17" |
| 102. | 152 | Javan Nulty | DID DUNBOYNE C | A2 | 2.27'04" | 8'17" |
| 103. | 65 | John mannix | KILLARNEY CC | A3 | 2.27'07" | 8'20" |
| 104. | 158 | Thomas Sheahy | TRALEE BC | A3 | 2.27'07" | 8'20" |
| 105. | 23 | Ryan O Donovan | FINANCE FIRST/WILLS WHEELS CORK COUNTY A | A3 | 2.27'07" | 8'20" |
| 106. | 129 | Michael Brady | WESTPORT COVEY WHEELERS | A2 | 2.27'07" | 8'20" |
| 107. | 82 | Barry Twohig | BLARNEY CCB | A3 | 2.27'07" | 8'20" |
| 108. | 42 | Donal Harrington | WESTERN LAKES CC | A3 | 2.27'07" | 8'20" |
| 109. | 47 | Alan Galavan | SLANEY CC | A2 | 2.27'07" | 8'20" |
| 110. | 112 | Nick Cosgrove | KILLORGLIN CC | A3 | 2.27'07" | 8'20" |
| 111. | 71 | John Bann Lavery | CLANN EIREANN CC | A3 | 2.27'07" | 8'20" |
| 112. | 48 | Stuart Cox | BLACK ROSE RACING | A2 | 2.27'07" | 8'20" |
| 113. | 54 | Maurice Lawlor | ST FINBARRS CC | A3 | 2.27'07" | 8'20" |
| 114. | 170 | Damian Roche | WEST CLARE CC | A3 | 2.27'07" | 8'20" |
| 115. | 177 | Bernard Twomey | CASTLEBAR TF ROYAL HOTEL ANDTHEATRE | A2 | 2.27'07" | 8'20" |
| 116. | 136 | Noel McGlynn | UCD | A3 | 2.27'07" | 8'20" |
| 117. | 40 | Mike Flanagan | WESTERN LAKES CC | A2 | 2.27'07" | 8'20" |
| 118. | 166 | Keith Fox | BLACK ROSE RACING | A1 | 2.27'07" | 8'20" |
| 119. | 139 | Ross Collins | UCD | A2 | 2.27'07" | 8'20" |
| 120. | 183 | Mark Gunning | WATERFORD RC | A3 | 2.27'07" | 8'20" |
| 121. | 51 | Olan Barrett | FERMOY CC | A2 | 2.27'07" | 8'20" |
| 122. | 22 | Aidan Collins | ORWELL WHEELERS B | A2 | 2.27'07" | 8'20" |
| 123. | 61 | Siobhan Horgan | TEAM GSD GESTATION | A2 | 2.27'07" | 8'20" |
| 124. | 58 | Simon Ryan | VISIT NENAGH | A2 | 2.27'07" | 8'20" |
| 125. | 168 | Colm Turner | WEST CLARE CC | A2 | 2.27'14" | 8'27" |
| 126. | 15 | Dave McLaughlin | ORWELL WHEELERS A | A2 | 2.27'16" | 8'29" |
| 127. | 11 | Brian Ahern | ORWELL WHEELERS A | A1 | 2.27'16" | 8'29" |
| 128. | 44 | Enda Connolly | GARDA CYCLING TEAM | A2 | 2.27'16" | 8'29" |
| 129. | 159 | Cathal Moynihan | TRALEE BC | A3 | 2.33'18" | 14'31" |
| 130. | 32 | Sean McFadden | LK BIKES DONEGAL | A2 | 2.33'18" | 14'31" |
| 131. | 39 | Barry Holian | WESTERN LAKES CC | A2 | 2.33'18" | 14'31" |
| 132. | 83 | Niall Forrest | BLARNEY CC C | A3 | 2.33'18" | 14'31" |
| 133. | 33 | Cormac Keeney | LK BIKES DONEGAL | A1 | 2.33'21" | 14'34" |
| 134. | 38 | John J Flaherty | WESTERN LAKES CC | A2 | 2.33'22" | 14'35" |
| 135. | 135 | Shem Cullen | IVERK PRODUCE CARRICK WHEELERS B | A2 | 2.33'22" | 14'35" |
| 136. | 70 | Vince O Sullivan | DAN MORRISSEY SPEEDY SPOKES B | A3 | 2.33'22" | 14'35" |
| 137. | 76 | Brian O Connell | BLARNEY CCA | A3 | 2.33'22" | 14'35" |
| 138. | 81 | Michael O Mahony | BLARNEY CCB | A2 | 2.33'22" | 14'35" |
| 139. | 128 | John Blackwell | KANTURK CREDIT UNION CC | A3 | 2.33'22" | 14'35" |
| 140. | 80 | Fergal Tubridy | BLARNEY CCB | A3 | 2.33'22" | 14'35" |
| 141. | 77 | David O Mahony | BLARNEY CCA | A2 | 2.33'22" | 14'35" |
| 142. | 162 | Marcus Brueton | SURREY | A1 | 2.33'22" | 14'35" |
| 143. | 72 | Rory Maguire | SERPENTINE CC | A1 | 2.33'26" | 14'39" |
| 144. | 149 | Stephen O Sullivan | DID DUNBOYNE B | A1 | 2.33'26" | 14'39" |
| 145. | 75 | Brendan McLoughlin | BLARNEY CCA | A2 | 2.33'26" | 14'39" |
| 146. | 116 | Garret Enright | KILCULLEN A | A2 | 2.41'23" | 22'36" |
| 147. | 111 | Jamie O Shea | KILLORGLIN CC | A3 | 2.41'23" | 22'36" |
| 148. | 121 | Liam Brown | KILCULLEN B | A3 | 2.41'27" | 22'40" |
| 149. | 120 | Brian Geraghty | KILCULLEN B | A2 | 2.41'27" | 22'40" |
| 150. | 84 | Michael Williams | BLARNEY CC C | A3 | 2.41'29" | 22'42" |
| 151. | 26 | Donnacha O Brien | FINANCE FIRST/WILLS WHEELS CORK COUNTY B | A3 | 2.41'32" | 22'45" |
| 152. | 69 | Stephen Clancy | DAN MORRISSEY SPEEDY SPOKES B | A1 | 2.41'32" | 22'45" |
| 153. | 131 | John Dempsey | IVERK PRODUCE CARRICK WHEELERS | A2 | 2.42'01" | 23'14" |
| 154. | 118 | John Gargan | KILCULLEN B | A2 | 2.50'23" | 31'36" |
| 155. | 108 | Diego Gandolfo | TEAM 100RPM | A1 | 2.51'19" | 32'32" |
| 156. | 28 | Eamonn Hartnett | NORTH TPIIERARY WHEELERS | A3 | 2.51'19" | 32'32" |
| 157. | 122 | Brian McCarfthy | MBCC | A3 | 2.51'19" | 32'32" |
| 158. | 110 | Eoin Ryan | KILLORGLIN CC | A3 | 2.51'21" | 32'34" |
| 159. | 113 | Colm Bracken | KILCULLEN A | A1 | 2.51'21" | 32'34" |
| 160. | 169 | Shane Collins | WEST CLARE CC | A3 | 2.51'21" | 32'34" |
| 161. | 52 | Peter O Brien | FERMOY CC | A3 | 2.51'28" | 32'41" |
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