At the end of a really tough stage at the Foyle Three Day, Darragh McCarter took victory and the yellow jersey (Photo: Sean Rowe)

Darragh McCarter in yellow at Foyle Three Day

At the end of the opening stage at the Foyle Three Day big gaps had emerged and Darragh McCarter was in the yellow jersey.

The Donegal Bay CC man, who is enjoying a very strong season, claimed victory by a handful of seconds from a strong six-man group.

At the end of 88km McCarter had five seconds to spare over national criterium champion Dillon Corkery (Gerard-DHL).

Corkery, who was on international duty in France last weekend, sprinted in for 2^nd place just ahead of Conor Hennebry and Ronan McLaughlin; both of Viner-Caremark-Pactimo.

Then came the remainder of the breakaway men; Craig McAuley (Caldwell Omagh), Fintan Ryan (The Sports Room Racing) and Darnell Moore (Team Caldwell Cycles).

Cian Sutcliffe (Gerald DHL) finished in 8^th place just 10 seconds behind the group.

And then there was a gap of over a minute to a chase group; led home by Mark Smith (Sports Room Racing). Most of the field lost nine minutes.

August 3-5: Foyle Three Day

Promoted by Foyle Cycling Club

Stage 1: Derry-Derry (88km)

1 McCarter,Darragh Donegal Bay CC 2h01'37"
2 Corkery,Dillion Team Gerald DHL @05"
3 Hennerby,Conor Viner-Caremark-Pactim
4 McLoughlin,Ronan Viner-Caremark-Pactim
5 McAuley,Craig Team Caldwell Cycles
6 Ryan,Fintan The Sports Room Racin
7 Moore,Darnell Team Caldwell Cycles
8 Sutcliffe,Cian Team Gerald DHL @15"
9 Smith,Mark The Sports Room Racin @01'23"
10 Moore,Sean Team Gerald DHL
11 Curley,Liam NRPT
12 McGlinchey,Christoph Mellow VeloBicycleCar
13 Smith,Luke Viner-Caremark-Pactim
14 Doherty,Aaron NRPT
15 Joughin,Ben Provision RaceTeam UK
16 Ward,Adam Newry Wheelers
17 Wright,Jody Phoenix CC
18 Shearer,Donal Phoenix CC
19 Carter,Caolem Donegal Bay CC @01'30"
20 Keogh,Cian The Sports Room Racin @01'33"
21 O'Connell,Eoin Four Masters CC @02'55"
22 McLaughlin,Mitchell Four Masters CC @03'20"
23 Caldwell,Jack Team Gerald DHL @03'28"
24 Doogan,PJ Team Caldwell Cycles
25 Beeston,Sam Provision RaceTeam UK

Climbers Primes

KOM Cat 3: Donemana
1 Moore,D CAL 5pt
2 McLoughlin,R VCP 4pt
3 Cahoon,C CLA 3pt
4 Ryan,F SRR 2pt
KOM Cat 2: Ballyhadendin
1 McLoughlin,R VCP 10p
2 Hennerby,C VCP 8pt
3 Moore,D CAL 6pt
4 Corkery,D GHL 4pt
5 McAuley,C CAL 3pt
6 Ryan,F SRR 1pt

General Classification

1 McCarter,Darragh Donegal Bay CC 2h01'37"
2 Hennerby,Conor Viner-Caremark-Pactim @01“
3 Corkery,Dillion Team Gerald DHL @05"
4 McLoughlin,Ronan Viner-Caremark-Pactim
5 McAuley,Craig Team Caldwell Cycles
6 Ryan,Fintan The Sports Room Racin
7 Moore,Darnell Team Caldwell Cycles
8 Sutcliffe,Cian Team Gerald DHL @15"
9 Smith,Mark The Sports Room Racin @01'23"
10 Moore,Sean Team Gerald DHL
11 Curley,Liam NRPT
12 McGlinchey,Christoph Mellow VeloBicycleCar
13 Smith,Luke Viner-Caremark-Pactim
14 Doherty,Aaron NRPT
15 Joughin,Ben Provision RaceTeam UK
16 Ward,Adam Newry Wheelers
17 Wright,Jody Phoenix CC
18 Shearer,Donal Phoenix CC
19 Carter,Caolem Donegal Bay CC @01'30"
20 Keogh,Cian The Sports Room Racin @01'33"
21 O'Connell,Eoin Four Masters CC @02'55"
22 McLaughlin,Mitchell Four Masters CC @03'20"
23 Caldwell,Jack Team Gerald DHL @03'28"
24 Doogan,PJ Team Caldwell Cycles
25 Beeston,Sam Provision RaceTeam UK

Points Competition

1 McCarter,D DON 15
2 Corkery,D GHL 14
3 Hennerby,C VCP 13
4 McLoughlin,R VCP 12
5 McAuley,C CAL 11
6 Ryan,F SRR 10
7 Moore,D CAL 9
8 Sutcliffe,C GHL 8
9 Smith,M SRR 7
10 Moore,S GHL 6
11 Curley,L NRP 5
12 McGlinchey,C MEL 4
13 Smith,L VCP 3
14 Doherty,A NRP 2
15 Joughin,B PUK 1

Mountains Competition

1 McLoughlin,R VCP 14
2 Moore,D CAL 11
3 Hennerby,C VCP 8
4 Corkery,D GHL 4
5 McAuley,C CAL 3
6 Ryan,F SRR 3
7 Cahoon,C CLA 3

U23 Rider Overall

1 Corkery,D GHL = 2h01'42"
2 McAuley,C CAL @
3 Ryan,F SRR @
4 Moore,D CAL @
5 Sutcliffe,C GHL @ 10"
6 Smith,M SRR @ 01'18"
7 Moore,S GHL @ 01'18"
8 Curley,L NRP @ 01'18"
9 Smith,L VCP @ 01'18"
10 Doherty,A NRP @ 01'18"
11 Ward,A NEW @ 01'18"
12 Shearer,D PHO @ 01'18"
13 Carter,C DBC @ 01'25"
14 Keogh,C SRR @ 01'28"
15 McLaughlin,M FOU @ 03'15"

Team Classification

1 Viner-Car 6h06'24"
2 Team Gera @ 10"
3 The Sport @ 01'28"
4 Team Cald @ 02'05"
5 Provision @ 06'46"
6 NRPT @ 09'23"
7 Mellow Ve @ 12'52"
8 Four Mast @ 14'00"
9 Newry Whe @ 18'58"
10 Harps CC @ 25'43"
11 NDCC @ 27'00"
12 Carn Whee @ 27'02"
13 Team Bann @ 27'05"
14 Armagh Do @ 27'07"
15 Armagh Ci @ 28'36"
16 St Tierna @ 37'54"
17 Clann Eir @ 38'54"
18 UCD Fitz @ 42'15"