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Danish junior star Mikkel Honore has made it three from three at Rás Dun na nGall today; a phenomenal achievement in what is a strong field. Today he spent over 70 kilometres out front by himself and had 15 seconds to spare on runner-up Simon Tuomey (Cork Giant) who is the only realistic challenger now at 48 seconds overall. Above, winning the opener on Friday (Photo: Marian Lamb - Cycling Ulster)
By Brian Canty
Mikkel Frølich Honoré stamped his class all over Rás Dun nan Gall today by winning his third straight stage of the race.
If his breakaway win from Simon Tuomey on last night’s opening stage wasn’t impressive enough, then his win on this morning’s time-trial underlined his class.
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But he saved the best for this afternoon with an absolutely awesome display to firm his grip on the race lead.
Attacking inside the opening 10 kilometres of the hilly 80-kilometre trek the Danish junior star, guest riding for Errigal CC this weekend, escaped on his own and quickly built up a lead of over a minute.
Tuomey clearly wasn’t lying down today and took the fight to Honore, trying desperately to get back onto the wheel of the flying Dane up ahead.
Just some of the others who also refused to accept defeat were Marc Heaney (Belgian Project), Cameron McIntyre, Aaron Swan of Cycling Ulster-Slane Cycles and Keith Finn of Lakeside Wheelers Mullingar.
But no one could reel Honore back in and cresting all the day’s climbs by himself - Doctor’s Bray, Corkscrew and Doctor’s Bray again - he came into the finish in Ardara solo for a truly memorable win.
However, Tuomey kept him honest and somehow only managed to concede 15 seconds on the stage and he’s the only real threat to Honore now as he trails by just 48 seconds overall.
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The next man over the line this afternoon was Keith Finn of Lakeside Wheelers with Aaron Swan of Cycling Ulster taking fourth.
They were almost two minutes behind so it’ll take something really special for them to overhaul Honore.
Tomorrow’s final stage is, however, an extremely challenging 100 kilometres and has shaken up the general standings in the past as it is one of the few races in Ireland with a summit finish.
It follows a figure of eight loop south, then north of Ardara, passing through Dunkineely, Hillhead, Glenties, Maas and Ardara before the finish atop the very tough Glengesh ascent.
Stage 3: Ardara - Ardara, 80km
- Mikkel Honore (Errigal CC) 2h15'23"
- Simon Tuomey (Cork Giant) 2h15'38" @15"
- Keith Finn (Lakeside Wheelers) 2h17'13" @01'50"
- Aaron Swan (Cycling Ulster Slane) 2h17'18" @01'55"
- Cameron McIntyre (Cycling Ulster Slane) 2h17'29" @02'06"
- Philip Hinch (Brotherton Cycles) 2h17'29" @ s/t
- Derek Cunningham (Team Bikeworx Celbridge) 2h17'29" @ s/t
- Marc Heaney (Belgian Project) 2h17'29" @ s/t
- Matthew McCullagh (Sundrive Track Team) 2h17'29" @ s/t
- Gerard McNally (Bann Valley RC) 2h17'29" @ s/t
General Classification
- Mikkel Honore (Errigal CC) 3h44'37"
- Simon Tuomey (Cork Giant) 2h15'38" @48"
- Marc Heaney (Belgian Project) @ 2’56”
- Derek Cunningham (Team Bikeworx Celbridge) @3’00”
- Daragh Bailey (Team iTap) @3’12”
- Cameron McIntyre (Cycling Ulster Slane) @3'21"
- Matthew McCullagh (Sundrive Track Team) @3’32”
- Aaron Swan (Cycling Ulster Slane) @3'42"
- Philip Hinch (Brotherton Cycles) @ 3’47”
- Niall O’Gorman (Phoenix CC) @3’48
Mountains Competition
- Mikkel Honore (Errigal CC) 17
- Simon Tuomey (Cork Giant) 5
- Cameron McIntyre (Cycling Ulster Slane)
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