County riders cut from the Rás after being outside the time limit; part and parcel of stage racing or a step too far for this event? (File photo of riders finishing stage 5 from Sneem to Clonakilty by Morgan Treacy, Inpho)
After a fantastic weeks racing on the An Post Rás some 148 riders completed the final stage this afternoon, Sunday, into Skerries, north Co Dublin.
Only one rider who started stage 8 this morning failed to make it to the finish; Marcus Christie of Louth ASEA-Wheelworx.
He suffered an untimely mechanical and bike change on the finishing circuit but rode well this week having only come back to cycling after a long break.
However, while most of the 32 riders who pulled out of the race since the start eight days ago did so because of crashes and illness, others departed because they were eliminated.
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Back in 2012 the race organisers warned that a new tougher regime was being introduced for those who missed the time cut every day – which stipulates riders must finish within 120 per cent of the stage winners’ time.
It was announced that no longer would a relaxed approach be taken to allowing riders appeal being eliminated and granting them return to the race immediately.
But in that first year of the new rules, an examination of the results shows no riders missed the time cut.
With more reminders in 2013 the time cut rule would be enforced, along with checks at the back of the racing for towing of sticky bottles; a total of 23 riders missed the time cut on stage 4.
The fact their appeals to be allowed back into the race fell on deaf ears for many signalled the end of the Irish club rider taking on the race.
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However, in 2013 that stage 4 from Listowel to Glengarrif was the only stage on which riders were outside the time limit.
And there was a similar scenario in 2014 when stage 5 was the only day riders missed the time cut. Three men were eliminated that day from Cahirciveen to Clonakilty.
Last year, fears the race was moving beyond more and more county riders eased when a flatter route meant nobody was eliminated for being outside the time cut on any stage.
However, during the 2016 race that has just concluded, riders were eliminated on four of the eight stages; the most stages ever witnessing time cut eliminations.
This year the organisers had taken the precautionary step of warning that riders would not be allowed into the race if they had requested being upgraded to A2, rather than earning promotion with results, simply so they could ride the race.
Still a total of 11 men lost their places on the race due to being outside the time cut this year.
The problems began on stage 1 from Dublin to Multyfarnham when one man was outside the limit.
And on stage 3 – which took the field from Charleville to Dingle – a total of five riders missed the cut and were all eliminated.
One stage 4 one rider missed the time limit and was eliminated at the end of the racing from Dingle to Sneem.
And again on stage 6, when the Rás bunch raced from Clonakilty to Dungarvan, a further three riders left the field because they were outside the time limit.
Let us know what you think about these developments; part and parcel of racing or a step too far for a race where the battle of the county man is central?
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