Liam Holohan celebrates a fantastic stage win yesterday at the finish of the seventh day of the An Post Rás into Baltinglass (Photo: Ramsey Cardy Sportsfile)
By Shane Stokes
Minutes after receiving the orange stage winner’s jersey and award as victor on day seven of the An Post Rás, the 26 year old British rider Liam Holohan made clear that he wants to return to the race and aim for even greater success.
“I’d like win the Rás overall, that would be good,” he said, when asked what his career ambitions are for the future.
“Maybe try for a stage in the Tour of Britain. I tried last year and I got fairly close, so that is a goal for later on in the year.”
Holohan had a superb ride on stage seven of the An Post Rás, making it into the day’s decisive break and then jumping hard inside the final half hour of racing.
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While he was a lighter rider than many of those who were in the move, he had the horsepower to solo in on the flatter roads leading to the finish in Baltinglass, reaching the line 46 seconds ahead of Hamish Schreurs (New Zealand National Team) and Robert Partridge (Britain Velosure Giordana), and 51 seconds up on Davide Ballerini (Italy Team Idea 2010 ASD).
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The other three riders who were in the break finished one minute 24 seconds back, while the yellow jersey group rolled in a further four seconds behind.
It was a gamble for Holohan to attack when he did, particular as there were six riders working together to try to bring him back. However, he made clear that he felt he went at the ideal time.
“On the climbs we just kept it together,” he said.
“I actually punctured on the descent but I got back on. Coming into the final the gap was starting to come down.
“I thought that it was the time to make my move. I attacked with twenty kilometres to go and I managed to hold off the group. The group was starting to tire. I could see the other guys were tired.
“I felt really good. I’ve felt really good all week. I think all the team has, we have second and fourth on GC. It is nice to put my mark on the race.”
The 26 year old speaks about his background in the video, discusses his stage victory and also names a long term career ambition of his.
Liam Holohan speaks to Shane Stokes
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