Junior Coleman takes classy win at Rás Mhaigh Eo opener

Sam Coleman, the second-year junior already with a French victory in the bag this season, has taken the opening stage at Rás Mhaigh Eo (Photo: Toby Watson)

Sam Coleman took a dominant win in his first race of the season two weeks ago in France and now the second-year junior rider had done it again; proving best at the end of the opening stage of Rás Mhaigh Eo today.

The 18-year-old, riding for the French junior team AS Villemur U19 this year, also took an aggressive approach to today's out and back 108km road stage. He took off with Daire Feeley (All human-VeloRevolution) on the tailwind-assisted outward section.

Behind them, the field split to pieces, with a chasing group of about a dozen riders leading the charge against the two very strong breakaway men.

Eventually, Feeley and Coleman decided to wait for the chasers, but only after a long effort out front alone, creating a 14-rider group at the front.

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With about 20km to go, the leaders had a gap of about 1½ minutes on a smaller chasing group, with the remains of the peloton further back.

Up front, the run-in was characterised by aggression, which eventually saw Coleman get clear again, this time with veteran Paul Kennedy for company.

They managed to get a gap on the rest of the breakaway men and fought it out for victory, with Coleman getting the better of Kennedy in that fight for 1st and 2nd and the first yellow jersey of the race ahead of this afternoon's stage 2 TT.

Lots more to come.

Stage 1 | Westport-Farnaught (104km)

  1. COLEMAN, Samuel AS Villemur JR –2:26:19
  2. KENNEDY, Paul TEAM SKYLINE – Cadence A1 +0
  3. DELANEY, James Lucan Cycling Road Club A1 +32
  4. MCLOUGHLIN, Niall Amicale Cyclist Bisontine A1 +35
  5. FEELEY, Daire All human/VeloRevolution Racing Team A1 +35
  6. CROWLEY, Liam UCD Cycling Club A1 +35
  7. SMITH, Luke Moynalty Cycling Club A1 +35
  8. DONALD, Christopher Spellman-Dublin Port A1 +37
  9. NEILL, Curtis Lyon Sprint Evolution A2 +39
  10. MAGUIRE, Ciaran Team Dan Morrissey – Primor by Pissei A1 +48
  11. O CONNOR, Philip Dungarvan CC JR +48
  12. KINSELLA, Tom Van Mossel Heist Cycling Team JR +51
  13. RILEY, Kieran null A1 +51
  14. MATAR, Joe-Nathan Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club A2 +51
  15. STANKEVICIUS, Evaldas Greenmount CA A1 +51

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