Paddy Clarke on the road on yesterday's stage 5 of the An Post Rás before he was struck by a series of events that led to him being excluded from the race (Photo: Brendan Slattery)
By Brian Canty
Paddy Clarke has said he is bitterly disappointed at being eliminated from yesterday’s stage of the An Post Rás for towing.
The Mayo Castlebar Fedaia Bikes rider suffered an horrific finger injury during the 150 kilometre fifth stage from Glengarrif to Mitchelstown and was forced to stop and receive medical treatment from race doctor Conor McGrane before continuing on.
But the manner in which he rejoined the race was, according to race commissaires, illegal. And following the stage finish Clarke was eliminated.
The incident happened midway through the stage when Clarke’s wireless speedometer came loose and dangled downwards.
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Several riders brought it to his attention and when Clarke reached down to try and unravel the speedo while moving, his finger became tangled and got shredded.
Clarke dropped back out of the bunch and summoned race doctor Conor McGrane. Clarke was then forced to stop to receive treatment for the injury.
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Rules state that a rider can receive a tow from the race doctor's car whilst receiving medical attention. However, Dr McGrane was then summoned to another incident further back the road, leaving Clarke with his team car.
He drafted behind the car for a period, though not all the way back to the bunch. And after a lengthy chase he got back into the bunch and finished the stage.
However, he was spotted by the commissaries, who did not agree with his interpretation of what was allowed in the case of a medical emergency.
“I’m absolutely gutted,” said Clarke afterwards.
“This was not how my race was supposed to end. I did not cheat, I have never cheated in my life and to be disqualified for cheating leaves a very bad taste in my mouth.”
He said McGrane had assured him he would be permitted to take a tow on the basis of being treated. However, when McGrane was forced to leave Clarke the problem arose.
At that point Clarke benefited from his own team vehicle, rather than the vehicle McGrane was in while being treated, which would have been legal.
“I still had a lot to do because their car didn’t come too close to the back of the bunch. I still had to ride across, my hand was killing me and spewing blood. I couldn’t even hold the bars properly. My finger was in a very bad way. I was gutted for it to finish this way because the Rás is the type of event that I would not disrespect.”
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