Sherlock gets the better of Lacey at today’s finish (Photo: Jonathan Ryan www.tipperaryphotos.com)

 

By Brian Canty

Ryan Sherlock is the overnight leader going into tomorrow’s second stage of the Suir Valley Three-Day in Clonmel after today taking the opening stage in fine style.

The Cycleways rider missed the crucial breakaway today and it looked for all the world that his chance of winning the race was over when a 19-man group pulled out a lead of over 1:30 by the halfway mark on the opening 125km leg.

But that was before the days’ most vicious climb – The Vee. And at over six miles in length, the Monaghan men sensed his chance and went for broke.

He got clear of the bunch and caught and dropped any rider who dropped out of the front group. He then caught the breakaway which was now whittled down to 11 and won the stage on a punishing slope just outside Clonmel.

While very happy with his win, Sherlock said the manner of his victory was far from planned.

“I was halfway through the race and I thought I had lost it because there was a very strong group up the road,” explained Sherlock.

“I had my two team mates and I knew they would ride for me. They drove it for me in fact. Charlie (Prendergast) was so strong, he drove the pace at the front to bring down the gap. Unfortunately I thought the climb (The Vee) was a lot steeper so I just basically towed the peloton for seven or eight kilometres and then when it got steeper they just fell off my wheel.”

He said there was no great mystery as to why he had missed such a large group going clear.

“I just missed the move, sometimes I think the move that sticks is the one I’m not in. It took me 30 minutes to get across. They looked a bit fed up because I don’t think they wanted to see me there. I just rode steady for the rest of the stage.”

“I was just thinking to myself, ‘don’t blow, don’t blow’. For 25 minutes, I did about 420 watts. I wasn’t getting time gaps but I knew the guys couldn’t ride at that pace. Fortunately I had a side tail wind so that helped.”

As regards winning the stage he said: “I knew I had to go full gas at the base of the climb and maybe take some guys out towards the end. From 3km to go, guys sprinted for the KOM but then they just sat up. So I ended up towing the Isle of Man guy and Sean Lacey. But I was sort of more going for the stage, I knew I wouldn’t put that much time into them.”

As for the rest of the race, he is adamant he will lose the yellow jersey with Lacey poised at 4 seconds and the Isle of Man’s Darren Bell at 10 seconds.

“I can’t control this race and I’m almost certainly going to have to give up the yellow jersey tomorrow. Of course, I didn’t expect to be in yellow today.”

The race truly was an epic with the pace hot from the start as several groups tried in vain to forge clear. Paddy Clarke (Terra Footwear) was in a few early skirmishes, as was Lacey and any one of the Isle of Man sextet but by Mitchelstown the best a strong man’s group of nine could get was a couple of hundred metres as the peloton allowed nothing away.

Gloccamaura was the first climb of the day and though a large group looked to be pulling clear, it was negated by the summit with Polish rider Martin Mizgayski cresting the top first.

Following that, the pace ramped up through Mitchelstown and into Fermoy where local rider Michael Hennessy along with Michael Fitzgerald (Dan Morrissey Speedy Spokes), Colm Cassidy (UCD) and Jonathan Creegan (Isle of Man) moved off the front.

They were soon joined by 15 more and following the left turn in Fermoy, before they encountered the trickiest roads of the day, the gap began to widen.

Soon they had a lead of 30 seconds and with three Isle of Man riders, three Dan Morrissey/Speedy Spokes, two brothers (Ciaran and Paddy Clarke) and no less than four UCD men, the hammer went down and their gap widened to 1:5 by Lismore.

Cruelly, two riders suffered rotten luck at exactly the wrong time when Paidi O’Brien and Fiachra O’Mhuire hit the same pothole and punctured out of the break.

But those up front were unrelenting and on the Vee they began to feel the pace as several dropped back – chiefly due to the pace set by Paddy Clarke, the UCD quartet and the Isle of Man contingent.

By the summit, the group numbered only 11 riders with the peloton just under a minute back and a third group a further 55 seconds back.

With 20 kilometres to go and the gap now under 55 seconds, Sherlock bolstered the break and they settled into a very strong rhythm and with 10k to go the gap was still holding.

Then came the hill known locally as ‘Dump Hill’ and that saw Jonathan Creegan and Chris Whorrell (both Isle of Man) drop off the back. It was then that Sherlock launched his bid for glory with Lacey watching him closely and Bell on his wheel.

Though Sherlock was on the front for the finale, it was a ‘tactic’ that worked and on such steep climbs, he is hard to beat.

And so it proved.

Paddy Clarke, who finished third overall last year won the most combatitive riders’ jersey for his relentless attacking all day and it was he who played the key role in stretching out the break. Though he suffered on the finishing straight, he is just 36 seconds off the lead and to reward his efforts, he was presented with a jersey by Declan Keogh of Ultimate Clothing.

 

All photos by Jonathan Ryan www.tipperaryphotos.com

 

 

 

 

 

Stage 1: 125.4kms (42.15kph) Results

1 Sherlock,Ryan Cycleways 2h58’30”
2 Lacey,Sean Dan Morrissey Speedy 2h58’32” @02″
3 Bell,Darren Isle of Man A 2h58’34” @04″
4 Twohig,Barry Blarney CC 2h58’54” @24″
5 Clarke,Patrick Terra Footwear 2h58’56” @26″
6 Hennessy,Michael Fermoy CC 2h58’57” @27″
7 Mizgajski,Martin Iverk Carrick Wheeler 2h58’59” @29″
8 Collis,Con UCD 2h59’01” @31″
9 Cassidy,Colm UCD 2h59’12” @42″
10 Morton,Eoin UCD 2h59’14” @44″
11 Whorrell,Chris Isle of Man A 2h59’59” @01’29”
12 Creegan,Jonathon Isle of Man A 3h00’08” @01’38”
13 O Brien,Paidi Dan Morrissey Speedy 3h00’17” @01’47”
14 Bruton,Danny DID Dunboyne 3h00’17” @ s/t
15 Kelly,Jake Isle of Man B 3h00’17” @ s/t
16 Storan,Michael West Clare CC 3h00’23” @01’53”
17 Arrigan,Craig Leinster Development 3h00’25” @01’55”
18 O Neill,Aodh U/A 3h00’25” @ s/t
19 Rimmer,Peter Lakeside Wheelers 3h00’25” @ s/t
20 Long,Bryan Finance First Cork Co 3h00’25” @ s/t
21 O Muire,Fiachra DID Dunboyne 3h00’30” @02’00”
22 Slattery,Matt Killarney CC 3h00’30” @ s/t
23 Baxter,Elliot Isle of Man A 3h00’30” @ s/t
24 Fenlon,Joe Dan Morrissey Speedy 3h00’30” @ s/t
25 Walsh,Anthony UCD 3h00’30” @ s/t
26 Fox,Keith Shannonside CC 3h00’30” @ s/t
27 Gibson,Francis South Dublin CC 3h00’37” @02’07”
28 Richardson,Ian Cycling Leinster A 3h00’37” @ s/t
29 Garry,Robin Isle of Man B 3h01’04” @02’34”
30 Fitzgerald,Michael Dan Morrissey Speedy 3h01’11” @02’41”
31 Clarke,Ciaran Castlebar CC 3h01’11” @ s/t
32 Murray,John Lakeside Wheelers 3h01’14” @02’44”
33 Kennedy,Paul McNally Swords 3h01’21” @02’51”
34 Gunning,Mark Waterford Racing 3h02’42” @04’12”
35 Kelly,Robin Waterford Racing 3h02’44” @04’14”
36 Power,Mark Dungarvan CC 3h02’44” @ s/t
37 Walsh,David Waterford Racing 3h02’47” @04’17”
38 Dunworth,Joseph Limerick CC 3h02’50” @04’20”
39 Lucey,Michael Cycleways 3h02’53” @04’23”
40 Horgan,Barry Tralee BC 3h02’53” @ s/t
41 Whelan,William Galtee Wheelers 3h02’53” @ s/t
42 O Connell,John Midleton CC 3h02’53” @ s/t
43 Livsey,Aaron Isle of Man A 3h03’03” @04’33”
44 Clancy,Stephen Dan Morrissey B 3h02’58” @04’28”
45 Meehan,Andrew DID Dunboyne 3h03’00” @04’30”
46 Butler,Michael Visit Nenagh Team DMG 3h03’02” @04’32”
47 Brookfield,Mike UCD 3h03’08” @04’38”
48 Connolly,Enda Cycling Leinster A 3h05’56” @07’26”
49 Byrne,Gerry Barrow Weelers 3h06’00” @07’30”
50 Doyle,Mick Barrow Weelers 3h06’00” @ s/t
51 Lawlor,Maurice St. Finbarrs 3h06’00” @ s/t
52 O Mahoney,Michael Blarney CC 3h06’00” @ s/t
53 Hart,Brian Limerick CC 3h06’00” @ s/t
54 O Donoghue,Shane Waterford Racing 3h06’00” @ s/t
55 Conlon,Ger Comeragh CC 3h06’00” @ s/t
56 Robinson,Trevor Comeragh CC 3h06’00” @ s/t
57 O Donovan,Ryan Finance First Cork Co 3h06’00” @ s/t
58 Wall,Aidan Leinster Development 3h06’00” @ s/t
59 Moore,Ger Finance First Cork Co 3h06’00” @ s/t
60 Maher,Eoin Comeragh CC 3h06’00” @ s/t
61 Johnson,Cathal South Dublin CC 3h06’00” @ s/t
62 Sheahy,Thomas Tralee BC 3h06’00” @ s/t
63 Forrest,Robert Blarney CC 3h06’00” @ s/t
64 Rigley,Shaun Leinster Development 3h06’00” @ s/t
65 Rohan,Paddy North Tipp Wheelers 3h06’00” @ s/t
66 Whiting,Daniel Cycling Leinster A 3h06’00” @ s/t
67 Carroll,Johnny DID Dunboyne 3h06’00” @ s/t
68 Lavery,Thomas Comeragh CC 3h06’00” @ s/t
69 Keneally,Pat Iverk Carrick Wheeler 3h06’00” @ s/t
70 Roche,Damien West Clare CC 3h06’13” @07’43”
71 De Leaster,Pierre Waterford Racing 3h06’16” @07’46”
72 Fitzgerald,Mehall Worldwide Cycles 3h06’19” @07’49”
73 Gibson,Jonathon U/A 3h06’23” @07’53”
74 Prendergast,Charles Cycleways 3h06’23” @ s/t
75 O Mahoney,David Blarney CC 3h12’33” @14’03”
76 Mortimer,Darragh Cycling Leinster A 3h12’37” @14’07”
77 Hartnett,Eamon North Tipp Wheelers 3h12’37” @ s/t
78 McCarthy,David Dan Morrissey B 3h14’43” @16’13”
79 Williams,Michael Blarney CC 3h14’43” @ s/t
80 Dempsey,Greg Barrow Weelers 3h14’43” @ s/t
81 O Sullivan,Danny Galtee Wheelers 3h14’43” @ s/t
82 Barrett,Olan Fermoy CC 3h14’43” @ s/t
83 O Leary,Neil Leinster Development 3h18’59” @20’29”
84 Reilly,Chris Cycling Leinster A 3h19’59” @21’29”
85 Ryan,Simon Visit Nenagh Team DMG 3h24’41” @26’11”
86 Lyons,John Paul South Dublin CC 3h24’41” @ s/t
87 Doyle,Paul Fermoy CC 3h27’45” @29’15”
88 Greene,Eoin Clonmel CC 3h27’45” @ s/t
89 O Sullivan,Vince Dan Morrissey B 3h27’57” @29’27”
90 McLoughlin,Brendan Blarney CC 3h27’57” @ s/t
91 Doherty,Padraig Leinster Development 3h40’54” @42’24”
92 Redmond,Ian Fermoy CC 3h46’10” @47’40”
93 Lattimore,James South Dublin CC 3h48’31” @50’01”
94 Hooton,Richard Visit Nenagh Team DMG 3h50’40” @52’10”
95 Power,Finbarr Comeragh CC 3h51’45” @53’15”

 

General Classification

1 Sherlock,Ryan Cycleways 2h58’20”
2 Lacey,Sean Dan Morrissey Sp 2h58’24” @04″
3 Bell,Darren Isle of Man A 2h58’30” @10″
4 Twohig,Barry Blarney CC 2h58’54” @34″
5 Clarke,Patrick Terra Footwear 2h58’56” @36″
6 Mizgajski,Martin Iverk Carrick Wh 2h58’56” = s/t
7 Collis,Con UCD 2h58’56” = s/t
8 Hennessy,Michael Fermoy CC 2h58’57” @37″
9 Cassidy,Colm UCD 2h59’11” @51″
10 Morton,Eoin UCD 2h59’14” @54″
11 Whorrell,Chris Isle of Man A 2h59’57” @01’37”
12 Creegan,Jonathon Isle of Man A 3h00’08” @01’48”
13 O Brien,Paidi Dan Morrissey Sp 3h00’17” @01’57”
14 Bruton,Danny DID Dunboyne 3h00’17” = s/t
15 Kelly,Jake Isle of Man B 3h00’17” = s/t
16 Storan,Michael West Clare CC 3h00’23” @02’03”
17 Arrigan,Craig Leinster Develop 3h00’25” @02’05”
18 O Neill,Aodh U/A 3h00’25” = s/t
19 Rimmer,Peter Lakeside Wheeler 3h00’25” = s/t
20 Long,Bryan Finance First Co 3h00’25” = s/t
21 O Muire,Fiachra DID Dunboyne 3h00’30” @02’10”
22 Slattery,Matt Killarney CC 3h00’30” = s/t
23 Baxter,Elliot Isle of Man A 3h00’30” = s/t
24 Fenlon,Joe Dan Morrissey Sp 3h00’30” = s/t
25 Walsh,Anthony UCD 3h00’30” = s/t
26 Fox,Keith Shannonside CC 3h00’30” = s/t
27 Gibson,Francis South Dublin CC 3h00’37” @02’17”
28 Richardson,Ian Cycling Leinster 3h00’37” = s/t
29 Garry,Robin Isle of Man B 3h01’04” @02’44”
30 Fitzgerald,Michael Dan Morrissey Sp 3h01’11” @02’51”
31 Clarke,Ciaran Castlebar CC 3h01’11” = s/t
32 Murray,John Lakeside Wheeler 3h01’14” @02’54”
33 Kennedy,Paul McNally Swords 3h01’21” @03’01”
34 Gunning,Mark Waterford Racing 3h02’42” @04’22”
35 Kelly,Robin Waterford Racing 3h02’42” = s/t
36 Power,Mark Dungarvan CC 3h02’44” @04’24”
37 Walsh,David Waterford Racing 3h02’47” @04’27”
38 Dunworth,Joseph Limerick CC 3h02’50” @04’30”
39 Lucey,Michael Cycleways 3h02’53” @04’33”
40 Horgan,Barry Tralee BC 3h02’53” = s/t
41 Whelan,William Galtee Wheelers 3h02’53” = s/t
42 O Connell,John Midleton CC 3h02’53” = s/t
43 Clancy,Stephen Dan Morrissey B 3h02’58” @04’38”
44 Meehan,Andrew DID Dunboyne 3h03’00” @04’40”
45 Butler,Michael Visit Nenagh Tea 3h03’02” @04’42”
46 Livsey,Aaron Isle of Man A 3h03’03” @04’43”
47 Brookfield,Mike UCD 3h03’08” @04’48”
48 Connolly,Enda Cycling Leinster 3h05’56” @07’36”
49 Byrne,Gerry Barrow Weelers 3h06’00” @07’40”
50 Doyle,Mick Barrow Weelers 3h06’00” = s/t
51 Lawlor,Maurice St. Finbarrs 3h06’00” = s/t
52 O Mahoney,Michael Blarney CC 3h06’00” = s/t
53 Hart,Brian Limerick CC 3h06’00” = s/t
54 O Donoghue,Shane Waterford Racing 3h06’00” = s/t
55 Conlon,Ger Comeragh CC 3h06’00” = s/t
56 Robinson,Trevor Comeragh CC 3h06’00” = s/t
57 O Donovan,Ryan Finance First Co 3h06’00” = s/t
58 Wall,Aidan Leinster Develop 3h06’00” = s/t
59 Moore,Ger Finance First Co 3h06’00” = s/t
60 Maher,Eoin Comeragh CC 3h06’00” = s/t
61 Johnson,Cathal South Dublin CC 3h06’00” = s/t
62 Sheahy,Thomas Tralee BC 3h06’00” = s/t
63 Forrest,Robert Blarney CC 3h06’00” = s/t
64 Rigley,Shaun Leinster Develop 3h06’00” = s/t
65 Rohan,Paddy North Tipp Wheel 3h06’00” = s/t
66 Whiting,Daniel Cycling Leinster 3h06’00” = s/t
67 Carroll,Johnny DID Dunboyne 3h06’00” = s/t
68 Lavery,Thomas Comeragh CC 3h06’00” = s/t
69 Keneally,Pat Iverk Carrick Wh 3h06’00” = s/t
70 Roche,Damien West Clare CC 3h06’13” @07’53”
71 De Leaster,Pierre Waterford Racing 3h06’16” @07’56”
72 Fitzgerald,Mehall Worldwide Cycles 3h06’16” = s/t
73 Gibson,Jonathon U/A 3h06’23” @08’03”
74 Prendergast,Charles Cycleways 3h06’23” = s/t
75 O Mahoney,David Blarney CC 3h12’33” @14’13”
76 Mortimer,Darragh Cycling Leinster 3h12’37” @14’17”
77 Hartnett,Eamon North Tipp Wheel 3h12’37” = s/t
78 McCarthy,David Dan Morrissey B 3h14’43” @16’23”
79 Williams,Michael Blarney CC 3h14’43” = s/t
80 Dempsey,Greg Barrow Weelers 3h14’43” = s/t
81 O Sullivan,Danny Galtee Wheelers 3h14’43” = s/t
82 Barrett,Olan Fermoy CC 3h14’43” = s/t
83 O Leary,Neil Leinster Develop 3h18’59” @20’39”
84 Reilly,Chris Cycling Leinster 3h19’59” @21’39”
85 Ryan,Simon Visit Nenagh Tea 3h24’41” @26’21”
86 Lyons,John Paul South Dublin CC 3h24’41” = s/t
87 Doyle,Paul Fermoy CC 3h27’45” @29’25”
88 Greene,Eoin Clonmel CC 3h27’45” = s/t
89 O Sullivan,Vince Dan Morrissey B 3h27’57” @29’37”
90 McLoughlin,Brendan Blarney CC 3h27’57” = s/t
91 Doherty,Padraig Leinster Develop 3h40’54” @42’34”
92 Redmond,Ian Fermoy CC 3h46’10” @47’50”
93 Lattimore,James South Dublin CC 3h48’31” @50’11”
94 Hooton,Richard Visit Nenagh Tea 3h50’40” @52’20”
95 Power,Finbarr Comeragh CC 3h51’45” @53’25”

Points Competition

1 Sherlock,R 15
2 Lacey,S 14
3 Bell,D 13
4 Twohig,B 12
5 Clarke,P 11
6 Hennessy,M 10
7 Mizgajski,M 9
8 Collis,C 8
9 Cassidy,C 7
10 Morton,E 6
11 Whorrell,C 5
12 Creegan,J 4
13 O’Brien,P 3
14 Bruton,D 2
15 Kelly,J 1

 

Mountains Competition

1 Mizgajski,M 24
2 Bell,D 18
3 Collis,C 15
4 Clarke,P 10
5 Twohig,B 8
6 Lacey,S 5
7 Maher,E 5
8 Cassidy,C 2

 

Sprints Competition

1 Collis,C 5
2 Mizgajski,M 3
3 Fitzgerald,M 3
4 Lacey,S 2
5 Whorrell,C 2
6 Kelly,R 2
7 Cassidy,C 1

 

A2 Overall

1 Twohig,B = 2h58’54”
2 Collis,C @ 02″
3 Morton,E @ 20″
4 Whorrell,C @ 01’03”
5 Creegan,J @ 01’14”

A3 Overall

1 Bruton,D 3h00’17”
2 Kelly,J @
3 Arrigan,C @ 08″
4 O’Neill,A @ 08″
5 Long,B @ 08″