Ronan McLaughlin got off to a strong start in Japan and was best of the Spin 11 Irish selection in the opening TT in Sapporo. Above, riding the Rás on the Irish team in May; we'll have photos of the team in Japan as the race proceeds (Photo: George Doyle)
The Spin 11 Irish selection is underway at the Tour de Hokkaido, with Ronan McLaughlin best of the Irish in the opening 1km prologue TT in Sapporo.
The former An Post-Chainreaction man, who is now riding successfully at home with Foyle CC, showed he can still hold his own in an international field, posting the 18th quickest time in the morning TT in Japan.
The stage was won by Spaniard Jon Aberasturi riding for Team UKYO. He clocked a time of 1min 14secs for an average speed off 48.65km per hour.
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He takes the leader's jersey into the 111km afternoon road stage from Sapporo to Kutchan Town by one second from Thiery Cyrille (Switzerland), with Riccardo Stacchiotti (Nippo-Vini Fantini) in 3rd on the same time.
McLaughlin was just 5 seconds off the winner’s time; an excellent ride and one that shows he is in good form for the three stages to come.
Next best of Irish was Darragh O’Mahoney who placed 28th. He was just one second slower than McLaughlin in what was a very tightly packed field over such a short distance.
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Daire Feeley was next, finishing in 30th place on the same time as O’Mahoney.
Craig McAuley was 37th, just one second down on O’Mahoney and Feeley, with Christopher McGlinchey in 44th a further one second down.
Only 22 seconds separated the first and last man in the 99-rider field meaning it’s still wide open after the prologue.
The invite to the race in Japan was secured by former Rás winner Brian Connaughton and the custom clothing company owned by the Connaughton and Cassidy families – Spin11.com – is sponsoring the selection; an initiative supported by Cycling Ireland president Ciaran McKenna.
It supplies clothing to the Irish team and customised kit to sportives and clubs throughout the country.
While it was initially envisaged the team would be a national selection, it proved easier to enter a regional team.
The outfit is riding in Japan as 'Dublin Spin11.com', but very much with the composition of an Irish team given the quality of the Irish riding.
Daire Feeley is really starting to look the part, both on and off the bike. Pictured just after arrival in Japan heading out for a warm-up ride.
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