By Shane Stokes
He’s
tried and tried for years to take a stage in the Rás Tailteann. As mentioned
earlier this week, Matteo Cigala has gone close on many occasions. Counting his
third place on stage one of this year’s race, his tally prior to today’s fourth
stage included finishes of second, third, fourth, fourth, sixth, sixth, eighth,
ninth and tenth.
He’s now
added another third place finish to that list of results, sprinting into
Kilbeggan just behind Rory Townsend (Ireland National Team) and Odhran Doogan
(Dublin Pinergy Orwell Wheelers) on Saturday.
In all he
has taken top ten finishes on ten separate occasions. It’s a very impressive
record for a county rider, and one many in the Irish peloton would be proud
off.
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The
Italian-born Wicklow resident was, as ever, smiling at the finish, but it’s
clear a victory would be massive for him.
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“It was a
very, very fast stage. A fast finish, a very strong tail wind. I wanted to go
early and not make the same mistake that I did on stage one, when I waited and
waited,” he said.
“I think
I kicked at the right time, but I just didn’t have it in the last 50 metres.
Rory came very quick. Maybe I spent too much in the last couple of days over
the climbs. Being an amateur, I can’t compare obviously myself with a full time
cyclist like Rory, an extremely great rider. He did a very good sprint and he
deserved the win, by the legs and also what he has done over the last couple of
days.”
Cigala
has at least the consolation that he made no errors. He can’t look at the
sprint on Saturday and say he should have done something different.
“I think
I did everything right,” he said. “I am third again, like stage one… On stage
one I told you I have four more opportunities, and now I have only one more
shot.
“I will
give it everything for tomorrow. Tomorrow is a stage that is close to home, so
I will definitely go for it as much as possible and try to get that stage win.”
