Daire Feeley is one of several county riders really excelling this week at the An Post Rás. The iTap man spent most of today's sixth stage up the road in a three-man break with Eddie Dunbar (Ireland national team) and Dylan Kennett (New Zealand national team). Above, Feeley finishes in the bunch at the end of the stage (Photo: John Coleman - Dc Images)
By Brian Canty
Daire Feeley put in his best performance of the week at the An Post Rás this afternoon, riding in a three-man break for much of the stage from Clonakilty to Dungarvan.
The iTap man had the assistance of Dylan Kennett (New Zealand) in joining early breakaway man Eddie Dunbar (Ireland national team) up the road inside 15 kilometres and that trio would stay clear for the guts of 100 more.
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It was a fine ride from the young Roscommon man making his debut in the race who said he’s getting better as the week progresses.
“It was a good old, day,” he said. “Eddie went early, he just rode off and when I saw nobody was riding I said I’d go for it.
Feeley (Team iTap) has been very active in this race and was up the road today, above, for a long time with those riding for national teams. He will be on international duty himself in the US shortly after this Rás finishes (Photo: Morgan Treacy - Inpho)
“One of the Kiwi lads came across and we caught Eddie after 10 kilometres and we got the out to 4’30” at one stage.”
The trio were flying but by the cat three ascent of Rathcormac the bunched had halved the deficit.
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“They took time out of us like no tomorrow. The Kiwi blew up on the climb but we kept it going.
“We thought we were away but the group brought us back real quick.”
Feeley is handling very well everything the race throws at him, including the climbs. And he has shown no fear (Photo: David Pintens Photography)
At this point, a group of nine had broken off the front of the front group (including the yellow) and they were charging across to the two up front.
“Gary McIlroy (commissaire) came up and said a group was coming across so my manager Jonathen told us ride tempo to save our legs.
“We were doing that and we were hoping the group of nine (would come across).
“All the favourites were there but they got brought back by the main bunch (third group on the road) and the next thing the gap was down to 35 seconds.”
Alas, they were caught and it became a battle to just stay with the lead group which was down to 43 at this stage.
“I almost went out the back, I was absolutely swinging but I got back on over the top.
“It’s been a great week, everyone’s playing their part and I’m getting stronger as the days go on.”
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