Team Aquablue rider Colm Cassidy was in jovial mood after topping just about all the tables with a powerful win on stage one at the Suir Valley Three Day (Pic: Sean Rowe)
By Jessica Lamb
Overall victory is not on Colm Cassidy's mind, as the self-professed non-climber muses over his lead in the mountains classification after his powerful win on stage one of the Suir Valley Three Day.
The Team Aquablue rider dived into the main break of the day before many had even warmed up.
And he then raced hard to hold off first the JLT Condor-driven peloton and then a large, determined chasing group.
In doing so he picked up the yellow, green and polka dot jerseys, the latter making him smile the most.
Stephen Murray leads a breakaway packed with class on the opening stage of the Suir Valley Three Day (Photo: John Coleman – Dc Images)
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"It's the ultimate irony," said popular stage winner Cassidy in yellow after the finish.
"Everyone knows I'm not a climber so to be leading the KOH classification is very ironic. It can't last."
He added: "We came here for stages really. If we can get GC that's a bonus.
"But our job is somewhat done. I suppose we'll go at it from the gun again tomorrow and see what happens."
Aquablue's plan as a team on stage 1 was to "pack the breaks with bodies" and they succeeded; Sean Lacey joining Cassidy in the winning break and taking second after being the first to attack in the final kilometre.
Cassidy left teammate Sean Lacey and Stephen Murray trailing in his wake, sprinting for the win inside the final kilometre after a tough day in the break (Pic: Sean Rowe)
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Explaining how that crucial finish played out, Cassidy said:"We went away shortly after the first hotspot sprint, the pace was high into that and it was a good time to go.
"There was about eight of us and that whittled down during the day to five of us going for the line.
"I was ahead with Stephen Murray (Strata 3 Velo Revolution) and my teammate Sean.
"Sean put in an attack with a kilometre to go and Stephen went after him.
"I went after Stephen and he caught Sean just as I got across. That was maybe 800m to go."
The UK teams of JLT Condor and Champion System-VCUK Racing were active in the chase after the escape (Photo: Dave Coleman – Dc Images)
Sunday's 92km road stage and the evening criterium around Clonmel town could suit Cassidy again, drawing up the possibility that Team Aquablue will ride into the cat 1 climb of The Vee on the last day in yellow.
The thought of that last stage does not fill Cassidy with joy, but the rider is keen to make the most of his form and will seek another win before that tough fourth stage.
"The legs were good today. I just felt strong. I've hit a decent run of form and hope I can keep going with that.
"I would like to get another stage for the team - I know the last stage isn't suited to my characteristics, with a very vicious climb in it and a hilltop finish.
"But tomorrow is another day and you never know what might happen if we come to it in yellow."
For full report and results follow this link
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