Mikkel Honore, a Danish national riding in the colours of Errigal CC this weekend, won the opening stage of Rás Dun na nGall last night. The above picture is taken from the recent Trophée Centre Morbihan Junior Nations Cup race in France, where he won the opening stage and finished third overall. Last night night he edged out Cork Giant Team rider Simon Tuomey.
By Brian Canty
Rising Danish junior star Mikkel Honore, guest riding for Errigal CC, blasted to a fine win on the opening stage of Rás Dun nGall last night.
Honore was on fire over the course of the short 50 kilometre opening stage and really took the race by the scruff of the neck.
He just about edged out Irish junior Simon Tuomey of the Cork Giant team after the pair had broken away on the second KOH of the stage along with Cameron McIntyre (Cycling Ulster - Slane Cycles).
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Their margin was never much out front but they worked well together and held off the chasing bunch of a half dozen or so riders by around 15 seconds.
McIntyre became distanced on the run-in for home but still managed to hang on for 3rd.
Honore's presence in the race is an interesting one.
While many of his peers, including a five-man Irish selection are in Germany for the Trofeo Karlsberg Nations Cup race, he decided to honour a commitment he made to the club he's guest riding with while on a training camp in the Sierra Nevada in February.
Riding this weekend for Errigal CC, Honore looks like the man to beat this weekend (Photo: Marian Lamb - Cycling Ulster)
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And how glad he was of that pledge as he has a strong team backing him in his quest for yellow this weekend .
Veteran Martin O’Loughlin, of Carrick Wheelers but guest riding for Errigal CC also, and Aaron Swan (Cycling Ulster – Slane Cycles) were among those in the first chasing group while the remainder of the bunch came in around 20 seconds further back.
There’s a split stage today with a 4 kilometre mountain time-trial followed by an 80 kilometre afternoon stage.
The time-trial, though short, could be very decisive and will leave no one in any doubt about who is going well.
Starting beside the Maghera Caves, outside Ardara and rising upwards it should be quite a spectacle and put some shape on the GC.
The afternoon stage sees the riders face an 80km road race that heads north from Ardara through Kilclooney, Maas, Glenties, Fintown and Doochary.
The race concludes tomorrow with a final road stage.
Rás Dhun na nGall - Stage 1
1 F Honore,Mikkel ERR Errigall CC 1h20'24"
2 Tuomey,Simon GIA Cork Giant @03"
3 McIntyre,Cameron USC Cycling Ulster Slane @19"
4 Heaney,Marc BEL Belgian Project @ s/t
5 O'Loughlin,Martin ERR Errigall CC @ s/t
6 Swan,Aaron USC Cycling Ulster Slane @ s/t
7 McCrory,Joseph CAR Carn Wheelers @ s/t
8 O'Gorman M40,Niall PHO Phoenix CC @ s/t
9 Finn,Keith LAK Lakeside Wheelers @ s/t
10 Gilmore,Curtis BRC Ballymena Road Club @ s/t
11 Collins,Diarmuid ORW Orwell Wheelers CC @ s/t
12 Corcoran,Liam CAS Castlebar TF Royal @ s/t
13 Wright,Jody PHO Phoenix CC @ s/t
14 Bailey,Darragh TAP Team I Tap @ s/t
15 McBride,Peter AAA AAA Cycling @ s/t
16 Boyle M40,John TIR TirChonaill Gap CC @ s/t
17 Stewart M40,Andrew SHE ShelbourneMotors/Orch @ s/t
18 Quinn,Paul ISL Island Wheelers @ s/t
19 Holian,Kevin ERR Errigall CC @ s/t
20 Lagan M40,Damien FOY Foyle CC @ s/t
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