L to R: U23 winner Handley, county winner Armstrong, points winner Bagdonas – pictured here by Stevie McKenna on Mamore Gap
By Gerard Cromwell
In Skerries
Sam Bennett (An Post-Sean Kelly), has had an eventful final two stages in the An Post Ras, taking 3rd yesterday in Cootehill and second on the final stage into Skerries, but was philosophical today about not taking victory. He was edged out in the gallop to the line by his team mate Gediminas Bagdonas.
“I might have got the stage myself but I played it a bit too cool,” he said.
“I waited until the last 100m and then ran out of road in the finish and didn’t have enough time to get by him. But Gedi’s been very strong all week and deserved the win. We knew we needed to get the green jersey and we did that and it’s nice to finish the week with first and second.”
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Bennett however was later involved in another Ras moment, when the cork of a champagne bottle hit him full belt in the eye and he ended up in an ambulance needing treatment. He admitted he was ‘mortified’ when he threw his hands in the air after leading in the bunch yesterday only to find out there were two riders ahead of him on the stage.
Another last stage battle that was fought backstage was that of best county rider. At the start of the final stage only seven seconds separated Adam Armstrong (Dublin Eurocycles) in 14th and Ryan Sherlock (Iverk Produce-Carrick Wheelers) in 16th but with the French, Czech and Swiss teams controlling the pace for much of the day, that was how it would stay in Skerries.
“There was nothing much you could do today,” said Sherlock.
“It was those seven seconds that I lost when the bunch split in the sprint behind Ronan McLaughlin into Bundoran that split us. But it shows that the Irish amateurs are right up there and with a bit of luck could have got a stage win.”
Armstrong came closest to one of those, with third on stage six into Killybegs and his Dublin Eurocycles team took the overall county team prize yesterday.
“I didn’t get the stage win I wanted but third on a stage and 14th overall is not too bad,” said Armstrong at the finish today.
“I kind of started running out of road today but that’s to be expected. At least I’ve proved to myself that I can do what I thought I could do. I’d love to go to the continent to race now but I’m back in work tomorrow night at 10pm and I’m not looking forward to it. They were trying to get me back in tonight but there was no chance of that.”
Frenchman Nicolas Baldo took the 60th edition of the An Post Ras Tailteann today when he finished safely in the bunch.
Baldo’s Swiss Atlas Personal Jackroo team did what they have become accustomed to doing since taking over the race lead of this Ras with Pirmin Lang last Monday and kept a tight reign on the final day’s proceedings. They allowed a seven man move up the road before reeling it in to set the finish up for a bunch sprint.
“We were a bit worried about one of the breakaway guys (Lars Vierbergen) who was up there on GC but afterwards we realised they were not so strong,” said overall winner Baldo at the finish.
“We got some help from the Czech and French teams today but my team mates were all strong this week.”
With two stage wins, the international team classification and having held the yellow jersey for six of the eight days on this Ras, the Swiss team could go away happy.
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“Everything worked for us this week, even the sunshine,” said Baldo.
“I like when it’s hot and I know this is unusual for Ireland so everything went well for us. We had a bit of luck too. When I punctured on the big climb (Glengesh Pass on Friday), there was no problem and I got back okay. I want to thank my team very much for this win. They rode really hard all week and they were incredible today. This is my biggest stage race win ever and it’s wonderful.”
Frenchman Thomas Rostollan (Aix En Provence) was equally happy with second overall and a stage win while Martin Hunar of the Czech Sparta Prague team rated his third place overall as the best moment of his career.
“I am very happy,” he enthused.
“I didn’t feel too good before the start of the big stage (to Buncrana via Mamore Gap) but I started to feel okay again before the last climb and I attacked the leader’s group and managed to stay away for second place. I just needed a few more seconds but I’m very, very happy. This is the best moment in my career. My team mates in Sparta Prague really worked for me this week, so I have to thank them.”
With 13 seconds advantage going into yesterday’s final stage Baldo at least had some buffer between himself and his nearest rivals. Last year’s winner Bagdonas, however, had none in the battle for the green jersey.
Tied on points at the start of the stage with former race leader Marcin Bialablocki of Node4 Giordana, Bagdonas knew he would have to beat his Polish rival to win the points classification outright.
“I know I’m faster than the other guy normally,” said Bagdonas after winning his battle with Bialablocki for green.
“Okay something can happen, you can crash, he can crash, but normally, I am faster than him. We didn’t get the overall win but I’m happy with two stages. The team were amazing all week even though we were watched every time we moved. We are very happy with the green jersey.”
Having led out the final gallop to the line for team mate Sam Bennett, Bagdonas found himself having to continue sprinting in order to make sure of the green jersey.
“I looked over my shoulder and I could see the green jersey coming so I knew I had to keep going,” he shrugged afterwards.
Wigan youngster Richard Handley took the white jersey of best U23 rider; a jersey the new-look British Rapha Condor Sharp team had been targeting coming into the race.
“I didn’t expect him to win it,” admitted team manager John Herety.
“I expected him to be up there for sure but it’s really nice to be able to win it and to take fifth overall with such a young team. We’ve taken a different direction this year, with an emphasis on developing young riders.”
“Richard has shown potential over the last three or four years and I’ve kept my eye on him. I was pleased to get him in his final year of U23. If anything what this has thought me is that we need to get these riders younger to be quite honest. There’s just not enough time in one season to teach them what they need to know but they’re great to work with. They’re like sponges and soak it all up. To get third team against big international teams is really good and shows we’re heading in the right direction.”
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