Race leader, Ireland’s Conn McDunphy of the USA: APS Pro Cycling team, on the way to his biggest career win during today's final stage at Rás Tailteann (Photo: Lorraine O'Sullivan)
By Shane Stokes
Conn McDunphy sealed out final Rás victory on Sunday, with his team even pulling off a second stage win along the way, but he said there were a few tense moments along the way.
“They threw everything at us. There were a few moments where we were scared…well, not scared, but we had to work hard,” he said after taking one of the most important results of his career. “We didn’t falter, we were able to take it home.”
He and his team came under constant attack during the 141km stage from Carlow to Dublin, with several big moves going clear. One 11 man move contained Danylo Riwnyj (UK: Foran CT), who started the day 2’02 behind.
A later breakaway included another British rider, Ewan Mackie (Cycling Connaught), who had started the day third overall, 1’31 behind.
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In each case McDunphy’s USA: APS Pro Cycling team were able to limit the gains and, ultimately, to help reel in the attacks. Its American rider Liam Flanagan then sprinted home for the win, following up on another victory on stage 3.
McDunphy was delighted to take the overall. His sense of satisfaction and relief is heightened by his near miss two years ago, when he finished second overall on the exact same time as winner Dom Jackson.
Conn McDunphy of the USA: APS Pro Cycling team celebrates overall victory in the Kia Motors yellow jersey (Photo: Lorraine O'Sullivan)
“It is class,” he said in reaction to the success. “I have come here so many times. I have crashed and had things go wrong. We had a really special team here, John the DS, Lewis the mechanic, Sean, Claire, helping out.
"And the guys Cian [Keogh], Liam (Flanagan], Adam [Lewis] and Matthew [Walls]. Without all those people it wouldn’t have been possible.
“You always go into every race wanting to win. It is cycling and you lose 99 percent of the time. So it’s all about the people you have around you. I need to thank my partner Claire, my parents, and obviously the team. And everyone else who has helped me, who are still here and who are not here.
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“I think this one, it actually is for my dad, to be honest. Even when cycling is hard he has been a positive light and told me to keep going. So it is for him.”
The 29 year old dug very deep yesterday in riding into yellow, putting in a huge effort through the Wicklow mountains. He was emotional at the finish and had strong feelings again on Sunday, not least because the finish location has big significance for him.
He grew up in nearby Kilcock and said that he started cycling ‘about 200 metres’ from the finish line in Dunboyne.
Race leader Ireland’s Conn McDunphy of the USA: APS Pro Cycling team, in yellow, keeps a close eye on his nearest rivals during today's stage 5 (Photo: Lorraine O'Sullivan)
“It was class,” he said. “Even yesterday coming through the Wicklow mountains…I am there [training] every second day.
“I knew when the attacks happened it is always too early or it is too late. I knew what was going to happen. I had my plan, we had our plan, we executed it.
“Today was all about keeping the jersey. We did that. I said in an interview during the week that I knew every pebble on the road to Dunboyne. It is not an exaggeration, I actually do! It is brilliant.”
McDunphy has been competing internationally for his team for several seasons. This year already he has taken part in events in the US, Spain, Turkey and the UAE.
His international schedule will continue after this win.
“In two or three weeks I go to Canada for the Tour de Beauce,” he said. “I have been quite successful there before so I am looking forward to that. Then after that I’ll be back to Ireland for nationals.
"Then we will see what the summer holds. The team has quite a good calendar of races. I will see what I am selected for!”
Given his success this week, it’s hard to imagine him not being at the top of any list.
