Mark Downey is having a brilliant race so far and is up there with the best on general classification. He's currently just 29 seconds off the race lead and only for a slight lapse of concentration today, could have been up there challenging for the stage win. (Photo: Morgan Treacy - Inpho)
By Brian Canty
Mark Downey is just 29 seconds off the race lead in his debut An Post Rás after taking his best result of the week on today’s fifth stage from Sneem to Clonakilty.
The Irish national team rider was ninth across the line, 27 seconds behind stage winner Wouter Mol (Join-S De Rijke).
“I’m happy enough. I slipped up missing that move going across to the leaders.
“It could have been a free ride as I had Ronan in there,” he said of how Damien Shaw (An Post Chain Reaction) rode across to a six-man chase group who were in hot pursuit of Conor Dunne (JLT Condor Cycles) and Ike Groen (Join-S De Rijke).
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“In the end I had to go for the sprint but my legs are good and I’m happy with ninth," he added.
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Downey looking comfortable on the climbs with the yellow jersey earlier in the week. He's riding a clever race and is well in contention (Photo: Morgan Treacy - Inpho)
“I’m getting a massage every night and our soigneur is saying ‘why I am I rubbing your legs, you’re getting better every night’ so I’m pretty happy with that.
“I’ve done a good bit of training coming into this but I’m kind of under the radar living in France.
“I’m climbing okay in France but I’m climbing well here. I’m happy with how I’m going but I’m young and making silly mistakes sometimes.”
Today, he said he switched off at that key moment which meant he missed Shaw going across. It effectively ruled him out of contention for a potential stage win.
“I should have been up his ass because he’s on the same time as me and that Madison Genesis guy Matt Holmes as well. They’re the guys in my boat and I missed it.
“It’s just me falling asleep sometimes. I’ve the legs to do it but not paying enough attention is what I’m lacking at the minute.
“But I’m happy where I am, I’m still in the race with three days to go.”
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