Stephen Williams (JLT-Condor presented by Mavic) won the opening stage of the Suir Valley Three-Day this afternoon, sprinting in at the head of a small front group. Best of the Irish was Ian Richardson (UCD-Fitzcycles.ie) who was third on the stage.
By Brian Canty
Stephen Williams has taken the opening stage of the Suir Valley Three-Day in Cahir this afternoon, winning the sprint from a group of four that decided matters after a thrilling 129-kilometre stage.
The JLT-Condor P/B Mavic rider timed his jump to perfection.
But spare a thought for young Daire Feeley who dropped his chain with 300 metres to go as he looked set to pull the trigger.
The U23 international was in the breakaway of 12 that animated today’s stage.
But perhaps not taking the yellow jersey could be a blessing in disguise as his iTap team don’t have the strength in depth compared to JLT-Condor P/B Mavic whose line-up includes defending champion Ed Laverack.
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Williams and Feeley were in the break of 12 that went away as the riders ripped through Cahir and onto the main road after 30 kilometres.
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Also present in the escape were Ronan McLaughlin (Foyle CC), Elliott Porter (Neon Velo), Ian Richardson (UCD-Fitzcycles.ie), Sean Yelverton (Mego Raw Cycles), Jacob Hennessy (JLT-Condor P/B Mavic), Ben Marks and Chris McNamara (both Surrey League/South of England), Jake Hales and Douglas Coleman (both Spirit Bikes Race Team) and Mark O’Callaghan (Aquablue).
Entering Mitchelstown the break had just over a minute but it gradually grew as the kilometres ticked down.
Feeley took the first KOH at Gloccamarra and he was second on the Vee, meaning he ended the day in the lead of that classification.
The gap was 1’40” hitting the base of the Vee – the day’s only category one climb - but a pedestrian pace by the bunch saw the gap swell to almost three minutes by the top.
Simon Ryan (Mego RAW Cycles) got across after attacking the bunch on the Vee. He bridged with Jon Mould and Luke Grivell Mellor (both JLT-Condor P/B Mavic).
Up ahead, the break began to split with four riders eventually going clear; Richardson and Feeley among that quartet, as well as Williams and Douglas Coleman (Spirit Bikes).
And that fast run-in from Clogheen saw the gap to the bunch remain around 2’30”, meaning the battle for yellow looks to be down to around 15 riders.
Tomorrow sees the riders tackle a 92-kilometre morning stage and the town centre crit in the evening.
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