Liam O'Brien takes classification win after big show in Pyrenees

Liam O'Brien put in a huge climbing shift on the final stage to seize the king of the mountains jersey in France (Photo: Fabien Lenfant)

Liam O'Brien (Lidl Trek-Future Racing) may have just about slipped off the general classification podium positions before the final stage at Ronde de l'Isard (2.2U), but the Cork man showcased his world class climbing talents in the Pyrenees.

He stepped up to take on responsibility for the chasing in the select group, which formed across 4,500m of climbing. The mountain-heavy staged included the cat 1 ascents of Col de Montségurm, Port de Lers and Col de la Core; three of five climbs on the menu for the day.

Artem Fofonov (XDS Astana Development Team) led over the first climb, having attacked solo and pulled out a small advantage. O'Brien was 2nd over the top of the mountain.

That was enough for the Irish rider to take the virtual lead in the mountains classification and he built on that advantage through the stage to run away with the polka dot jersey.

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A breakaway group of 11 then went clear, chased by another group. O'Brien was part of the seven-man select group - the remains of the peloton - that got back to the front of the race with about 80km to go.

And when that catch was made, Rémi Daumas (Groupama-FDJ United CT) attacked and, incredibly, rode solo for about 80km to the finish to win by just five seconds from O'Brien’s group, numbering 15 riders.

Daumas led over the Port du Lers and Col d'Agnes, with O'Brien 2nd on both climbs, with the 1-2 the same on the Col de Latrape, the penultimate climb with 62km to go.

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On the final climb, the Col de la Core, Daumas led by just over one minute starting the 13.9km ascent averaging 6.4 per cent gradient. He made it to the top solo, with O'Brien 2nd.

And though the Irish rider was one of the main players working in the chasing group in the final stages, in a bid to get Daumas back, the French rider hung on.

Niels Driesen (Lotto-Groupe Wanty) won the sprint for 2nd place and the time bonuses he collected meant he took the final yellow jersey, taking it off the shoulders of British rider Huw Buck Jones (Bourg-en-Bresse Ain Cyclisme).

Jones had won stage 3, where O'Brien was 2nd, and ended the race 2nd overall some five seconds down on Driesen.

Another British rider, Adam Howell (Bourg-en-Bresse Ain Cyclisme) was 3rd, at 31 seconds, with O'Brien 4th overall at 38 seconds.

Irish rider Tom Huelin (Velo Performance U23 Development Team) was 101st overall. His Irish team mates, Cal Tutty and Curtis Neill, were both crash victims and did not finish stage 4, nor did Isaac Burman or Josh Callaly.

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