Richard Maes won the opening stage of the Kanturk Three-Day this afternoon from a strong field. The Killarney CC man proved quickest in the bunch sprint that decided matters and will wear the race leader's yellow jersey in tomorrow's second stage (Photo: John Coleman – Dc Images)
By Brian Canty
Richard Maes took his tally to three stage wins in the Kanturk Three-Day this afternoon when he blitzed the field with a stunning sprint to win the opening leg of this year’s race.
The Killarney CC man has won twice in the past and takes the yellow jersey into tomorrow morning’s time-trial deadlocked on time with a big bunch of A2 and A3 riders who trailed in his wake today.
Maes, the national A3 champion, tried his best to get away all afternoon but was heavily marked - along with a host of others.
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However, with the help of a strong team worked his way to the front when it mattered.
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“It seemed the Cork-Giant boys and myself were totally marked out of it, we couldn’t get away after trying all day,” explained Maes of today’s 100-kilometre opener.
“I knew I needed a cushion for the time-trial tomorrow but it wasn’t to be.
“It came down to a bunch gallop and once I told my teammates to drive it on the front they knew I was up for it.”
Indeed, a huge tailwind up the drag to the finish outside the Cork town meant the pace had to be high and Maes was the man who profited, timing his effort to perfection.
“I wanted to keep the speed high to prevent attacks; I knew the juniors would find it hard with their gearing ratio.
"So I took it up from 400 metres out and with 100m to go I looked between the legs and couldn’t see anyone on the wheel.”
Rounding out the podium were Eoghan McLaughlin (Westport Covey Wheelers) and Dillon Corkery (Giant Cork).
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