Chris Reilly of Team ASEA had the polka dot jersey going into the stage and managed to hold onto it for a second consecutive year (Photo thanks to Sean Rowe)
By Brian Canty
Chris Reilly claimed the polka dot jersey as winner of the King of the Mountains at the Suir Valley 3-Day yesterday for the second year in succession, rounding out a fine weekend for Team ASEA.
Though they didn’t win the race – or get a stage win, they went very close to both, with Ali Macaulay and Damien Shaw ending up fifth and sixth overall.
But Reilly proved a trump card again, taking command of the climbers’ classification on Sunday morning and seeing it out yesterday.
“I had it in the back of my head that if the opportunity came up I’d go for it again,” said the Bohermeen man.
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“The plan was to get in the break the first day because it makes it so much easier for the overall as well – give yourself a chance.
“So I was attacking the climbs and putting myself in a position to take the climbs from the start and I knew them from last year so that helped.”
He made the break on the opening day but was no match for stage winner Colm Cassidy (Aquablue).
Reilly on the start line of the criterium; a stage that was neutralised as far as the general classification was concerned because of the rain (Photo: Sean Rowe)
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“Casso had more points so I was just behind him on the KOM classification; I faded in the break and missed the last KOM but I had it the following day; I went out with full intention to take it so that was satisfying.
“The lads in the team put me in a good position going into the early climbs on Sunday; there were a few attacks on the first climb, but I just bided my time and chose the right moments to go,” he said in reference to the ‘race within the race’ for the various primes.
And with a lead of 18 points going into the final stage yesterday he knew he had it all but sewn up.
“I had 18 points of a lead going in but I still wanted to make sure on the first two climbs so when I was second across the Vee (category one) I knew I’d done enough.”
Asked would he have preferred a higher placing on GC Reilly flatly denied it.
“A high GC place doesn’t mean anything unless you win because no one remembers anyone who was outside first.
“I’d rather take the jersey because you’ve something to show. I was delighted, winning it last year was surprising but it gave me the confidence that I could do it again this year.”
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