Ian Richardson has taken another excellent result, claiming third on the opening stage of the Suir Valley Three-Day. The UCD-Fitzcycles.ie man tried going solo in the final this afternoon but was given no rope at all (Photo: Sean Rowe)
By Brian Canty
Ian Richardson was best of the Irish on stage 1 of the Suir Valley Three-Day this afternoon; the UCD-Fitzcycles.ie man crossing the line in third place in the same time as winner Stephen Williams (JLT-Condor p/b Mavic).
The top county rider in the An Post Rás for the second year in-a-row tried to take a flyer with a couple of kilometres to go in a bid to avoid the sprint but he was given no rope at all from those he was with.
But he’s happy with the result and the performance heading into stage two.
Advertisement
“I'm very happy overall,” he said. “I felt strong on the climb of the Vee and that showed when myself and Daire Feeley (iTap) attacked there.”
Related News
The pair were part of the day’s big move that featured 12 riders.
“It was quite hard early in the break and there wasn't full cohesion,” he reflected.
“A few of the riders were sitting on for periods but once the selection was made after the Vee it was better.”
In that selection were Feeley, Douglas Coleman (Spirit Bikes) and the aforementioned Williams.
“Two other JLT riders (Jon Mould and Luke Grivell Mellor) managed to bridge to the remnants of the break (behind) and they came very close to catching us in the final.
“I tried but I couldn't get away solo in the final few kilometres; the group was strong but I'm happy to be in a good GC position.”
With the bunch over two minutes back, Richardson reckons the winner will come from the top 15 on today's stage. “JLT-Condor have four riders up there so it's theirs to lose,” he added.
Topics
