Dylan Foley winning the queen stage of Kerry Group Rás Mumhan in Kenmare this afternoon; an amazing achievement for the youngest rider in the race (Photo: Pat Doherty)
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By Brian Canty
The youngest rider in this year’s Kerry Group Rás Mumhan, Dylan Foley has had a day to remember after taking a fantastic solo win on the queen stage into Kenmare.
Foley, who has taken the jump up to the senior ranks by storm this year, went in the early break today and stayed there for the entire race. And in the latter stages he rode away on his own to take the stage victory.
“To be honest I wanted to just get over the Healy Pass with the front group today,” he said.
“But I knew I had very good legs and I felt I was unlucky to miss the move yesterday. Sean Lacey went early today with the Dutch fella (Robert Jan Mol), Paddy Clarke, Mick Fitzgerald (both VeloRevolution) and a Felt Colborne guy so I knew it was a good break with a lot of teams.
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“We rode hard and with the tight roads we got out of sight fairly quickly. We rode the cat two climbs at Lauragh and Healy Pass pretty hard and my first aim was to get the KOH jersey.
"I picked those (primes) up and kept eating and drinking all day. I knew I had good legs and I wanted to hold onto them as long as I could.
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“We heard there was a chase group of 1’20” on top of the Healy Pass and the bunch was at 2’40”. But I knew the bunch would take time on the Healy Pass.
“Luckily 12 came across on the Keimaneigh climb and that was a big help. There was a good group and gradually the bunch gave up, so I kept going for the KOH points. The Dutch guy wanted them as well but luckily I got enough.
“Then fellas were watching each other coming in the road, fellas were not riding through; they’d give up and start jumping so going over the County Bounds with 30 kilometres to go I attacked.”
That shook off a few who were inclined to sit on and though he was brought back, Foley knew things were looking up when his legs came around again.
“Wim Bottman was very strong so I watched him and sat at the back for a while. Then there was a lull, so I came over the top at speed and once I got a gap with 12 kilometres to go I put the head down and went for it.
“With about four kilometres to go I tried to spin the gears because the roads were lumpy. I wasn’t even thinking of yellow at that point and I didn’t want it anyway because it’s an added marker on your back. I think I’m three seconds off yellow and that’s good.
“I knew I was going well and I knew if things went my way I could do something but there’s still unfinished business and I still have a few more aims in the race and come Monday, I’ll keep trying until I get them.
“If I finished outside the top 100 I still have the polka dot jersey and the queen stage under my belt, that’s very pleasing. Recovery is the most important thing now so bed early tonight.”
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