A delighted Liam Flanagan wins Rás Tailteann stage 3 into Enniscorthy, continuing a really successful race for APS Pro Cycling (Photo: Lorraine O'Sullivan)
Liam Flanagan of the APS Pro Cycling Team has won stage 3 of Rás Tailteann after 155.6km from Mitchelstown to Enniscorthy.
The American claimed that victory, from a breakaway, solo just ahead of yesterday's winner, and new yellow jersey, Tim Shoreman (Wheelbase Cabtech-Castelli).
Once again, Conn McDunphy (APS Pro Cycling) was 3rd, like yesterday, while fellow Irishman George Peden (PB Performance) took 4th place.
The top four were all in a six-man group that bridged across to the 11-man breakaway very late in the stage.
Among the Irish in that move was Lindsay Watson and the Caldwell Powerhouse man made a very brave bid for victory only to be caught.
Hugh Óg Mulhearne (Team Ireland) - one of only two juniors in the race, with Fionn Killeen on the Irish team - enjoyed a very strong ride today, as he was in the breakaway that looked like it may make it all the way.
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How it unfolded
Watson and Mulhearne were in that breakaway with: Zach Walker (Isle of Man), Danylo Riwnyj (Foran CT), Aaron King (Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli), Daan Jurriaans (West Frisia), Max Duckworth (O'Neills Spirit Racing Team), Dean Harvey (Foyle CC), Moritz Czasa (Hucare Factory Team), Archie Peet (O'Neills Spirit Racing) and Evan Keane (Pinergy Orwell).
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That 11-man group went clear after about 100km of racing, and with approximately 55km remaining, after an earlier group had been away but was caught.
Irish riders Harvey, Keane and Watson were in an initial six that broke clear, building an advantage of about 40 seconds over a much reduced peloton, before being joined by the others.
When the catch was made, with about 20km to go, the group's advantage over the main field was just 20 seconds. And the remains of that bunch was being led by the APS Pro Cycling team of the yellow jersey, American Adam Lewis.
Though Watson put in a strong attack off the front with about 15km remaining, he was reeled in after a short period out front solo.
When he was caught, the chasing group had increased in number to 16, changing the complexion of the race up front, and for the general classification.
And when it came to the final push for the line, with was five of the men who bridged across late that filled the first five places on the stage.
Liam Flanagan (APS Pro Cycling) won solo, just ahead of yesterday's winner Tim Shoreman (Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli) and Conn McDunphy (APS Pro Cycling).
George Peden (PB Performance) was 5th and Niek Hoornsman (West Frisia) was 5th.
More to come.
