Ronan McLaughlin put up one of the most courageous performances of the Rás’s modern era, but he was left beaten, sprawling exhausted on the main street of Bundoran.
In a new series exploring some of the most striking photography depicting Irish riders, Brian Canty talks to former international Ronan McLaughlin after a memorable day on the Rás in 2012.
Then riding for An Post-Sean Kelly, the Donegal man explains how he had victory snatched from him within metres of the finishing line; what would have been a hugely popular home win slipping between his fingers.
• Name: Ronan McLaughlin
• When?: Wednesday May 23rd 2012: Stage 4 Westport to Bundoran, 135k
McLaughlin, far right, signalled his intent by getting in some early moves before the decisive one broke clear, which he then forged on from alone.
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It was almost one of the most remarkable wins the race had ever produced. But by day’s end Ronan McLaughlin had to settle for 10th place and relative anonymity.
At the finish line in Bundoran, he could hardly support himself following his heroic effort.
Medical attention was summoned, soigneur Stacey Kelly had to feed him, and the tears that rolled down his face told the story of a man who went to bottom and just came up short.
Stage 4 of the 2012 An Post Rás will be remembered for nothing else but McLaughlin’s solo ride for over half the stage; a stage he looked destined to win as he held a gap of over three minutes to a chase group with less than 30 kilometres to race.
Once he was clear alone, McLaughlin pressed for home all the way; intent on taking a solo win his native county with no thoughts of waiting for a small group behind.
He knew the roads better than anyone and that day in Donegal the Gods appeared to be on his side.
The day began to change dramatically for McLaughlin when the time gaps team manager Kurt Bogaerts was feeding him, suddenly began to dwindle - and at an alarming rate.
“That day is still in my memory,” McLaughlin told stickybottle.
“It was a day I had marked as a day I could win from months out. I thought I could definitely win. It had been a dream of mine for years to win into Donegal.
The head of the race charged up to the lone leader in the latter miles, with nine riders getting passed McLaughlin on the finishing straight before he rolled over the line, above, in some distress.
"I should have won that stage but I didn't and although it is still difficult to deal with I don't want to be crying over that same story over and over again.”
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That dream looked to be unfolding before his eyes until more time gaps were barked at him. 90 seconds was the gap with 10 kilometres to go.
“I did a quick math and realised what I could lose every kilometre. It was touch and go. An Irish win, a Donegal win in a Donegal town would have been rare.”
McLaughlin tucked tighter into a more aerodynamic position, sending a surge of cramp up both sides of his body. He flung his water bottles away.
Gutted and wrecked, McLaughlin is supported by team soigneur Stacey Kelly and some of the other staff.
"The roar of the crowd filled his ears as he entered the town. The gap now was at less than 20 seconds.
“A kilometre to go and they were within sight of me,” explained McLaughlin.
“I didn’t dare look back for fear of losing further ground. I remember seeing the 500 metres to go sign and they were all but swallowing me up.
"There were just a few of them. I knew I had lost. Still, I was thinking about a stage win and a stage win only.
“I remember the attack that swallowed me up. They were so close I could hear them. I knew the game was up.
All McLaughlin could do was suck it up and trying and get himself ready mentally and physically for the next day.
"My legs were like jelly. I think it was Mark Pedersen from Blue Water who took the win but I didn’t care. That moment is a blur.
“It was probably one of the best days of my life up until about a kilometre to go and then I realised they were going to catch me but I couldn’t, I just couldn’t go any harder.
"I kept attacking coming in the road but I was cramping all over.
“It was very hard to take but I still went on and rode the World Championships that year. I could have given no more that day. I gave all I had.”
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