Final summit finish to sort men from boys after testing weekend at Suir Valley Three Day

Last year's winner, Sam Bennett has gone on to win a string of pro races since taking the yellow. Who will succeed him? (Photo: www.blackumbrella.ie)

By Brian Canty

One of the country’s most popular and demanding stage races, the Suir Valley Three-Day was launched last week with some slight route variations to last year.

Twelve months ago it was local man Sam Bennett, then of the An Post Chain Reaction team and now of Pro Continental team NetApp-Endura, who took home the yellow jersey. And though he won’t be back to defend his title the weekend after next, the racing should be no less dramatic.

In 2013 the event attracted several Continental teams, with UK-based Rapha-Condor JLT and Champions Systems making the trip to Ireland and though there’s no commitment yet from those two, entries are already swelling for the four-stage event.

The highlight of last year was the summit finish of the cat 1 climb of The Nire on the final day which attracted a huge crowd and kept matters right in the balance.

That is back this year while the ever-popular criterium – won in 2013 by An Post Chain Reaction fast-man Shane Archbold - should make for an exciting penultimate stage on Sunday evening.

The opening stage is a tricky 116 kilometre trek starting in Clonmel and finishing in Cahir, unlike last year where it also finished in Clonmel.

This is to mark the commitment of Morrison’s BMW garage in Cahir who have been partners with the race since 2008.

The stage heads east from Clonmel to Carrick, into Portlawn, Kilmeaden and back around by Piltown, Faugheen, Clonmel again, over the only categorised climb of the day at Knocklofty - a cat 3 - and into Ardfinnan before the finish in Cahir.

The countryside may be stunning, but for this race that means only one thing; hills. The final stage, with a summit finish, should be very interesting (Photo: www.blackumbrella.ie)

Last year the opening stage proved decisive as the 10-man group sprinting for the win came in almost 1:20 ahead of a group of eight chasers with the bunch another minute behind.
Sunday features two stages which are definitely for the fast men.

The morning 92km leg is a favourite training lap of Sean Kelly.

Again, the race rolls out of Clonmel and will finish in the town, but not before taking in Ballymacabry, Dungarvan, Leamybrien, Carrick, Kilsheelan and Clonmel.

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Sunday’s evening stage is set to bring the crowds back to Clonmel for a highly-anticipated criterium around the centre of the town.

The route will be a 2.1 kilometre lap which features eight 90 degree bends, with one long straight along the back, known locally as Saint Nicholas Terrace Raheen Road. This will be a stage for the fast men and will last just 45minutes and five laps.

There will also be A4 and women's support races starting at 5pm and 6pm respectively.

If the general classification is not some way sorted by then, Monday’s stage four will decide it conclusively.

Not only is it the longest day the riders will have in the saddle, it is also the most difficult and features three categorised climbs.

The opening 60 kilometres from Clonmel, back to Cahir and onto Kilbeheny and Clogheeen will be relatively straight-forward but then the fun really starts when riders tackle the Vee.

They’ll sweep down into Lismore before commencing the ascent of the category two Colligan.

From there, the race swings north for Ballymacabry and will come to a thrilling conclusion atop the category one ranked Nire climb. That will come after 112 kilometres and is sure to open up significant gaps in the field.

There will be eight classification jerseys to fight for.

Well known is the yellow jersey, green jersey and mountains jersey but there is also the pink ‘hot spot’ jersey, the blue A2 leader’s jersey and the red A3 jersey. The white jersey will be awarded to each of the four stage winners.

For the second year running, there will be a jersey presented to the most aggressive rider for each stage as well as overall. That jersey is in memory of the late Paul Healion and is sponsored by South Dublin Cycling Club.

For all the information on stage details and routes, as well as the Suir Valley Sportive and the various other events over the weekend visit www.suirvalley3day.com