Video: Rás breakaway man takes wrong turn on Buncrana finish straight
At the end of the day and wearing the jersey awarded to the stage winner. He was presented with it for 2nd place on the day because victor Storer was presented with the climbers' jersey after a really impressive ride (Photo: Morgan Treacy - Inpho)
The fourth stage of An Post Rás was won by Australian Michael Storer and Ireland’s Matt Teggart took the yellow jersey.
But a little piece of drama played out for one of the real heroes of the day, right on the finishing straight.
Jacob Sitler of USA CCB Velotooler would have an excellent final portion of the stage into Buncrana.
He pulled clear with Storer on Pinch Mountain, and the duo was joined briefly by Kasperkiewicz Przemyslaw (An Post Chain Reaction).
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However, the latter lost his place up front as Storer and Sitler stayed strong up the climbs.
It was Storer who was first to the top of Pinch Mountain and he would leave his companion on Mamore Gap before a solo ride into Buncrana to win.
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Just behind him, Sitler fought really bravely to hold off the select group closing in on him.
He looked to have 2nd place on the stage in the bag only to turn off the sweeping finishing straight.
The American veered to his left, where the race vehicles were directed, with about 250 metres remaining.
Race officials and spectators shouted at him to get back on track, which he did very quickly.
But just behind the group was sprinting in for 3rd place, with Sitler barely holding them off.
He punched the air for a job well done as he came across the line, and no doubt with a little relief that he hadn’t paid a heavier price for his mishap.
In the end he had just 3 seconds to spare over 3rd place Morgan Kneisky (France Armee de Terre). Storer had 1:23 to spare in the runner up in the end.
Eventual stage winner Michael Storer from Australia pulled clear on Mamore Gap. Above, he is followed by Kasperkiewicz Przemyslaw (An Post Chain Reaction) and Jacob Sitler of USA CCB Velotooler. Storer pulled clear to win alone while Przemyslaw was caught by the group behind. Sitler stayed clear to take 2nd place, but only after a late mistake almost cost him (Photo: Ryan Byrne - Inpho)
Pushing the bike up to the top of Mamore Gap; Sitler put in a fantastic ride. Thank God his mishap did not cost him 2nd place (Photo: Toby Watson)
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