A breakaway stole a march late on the opening stage of Kerry Group Rás Mumhan. And the time they gained may prove very important in the scrap for the general classification over the next three days. Above, Alex Luhrs win the stage at the head of the four-man move (Photo: Brendan Slattery)
Alex Luhrs wins stage 1 Kerry Group Rás Mumhan 2018
Alex Luhrs from the UK has taken the opening stage of Kerry Group Rás Mumhan, with time gaps emerging already.
The Pro Cycling UK rider got the better of compatriot Toby Atkins (Active Edge Racing Team) at the finish in Killorglin this evening at the end of 99km.
Best Irish rider on the night was Conor Hennebry; the former An Post-Chainreaction man now riding for Viner-Caremark-Pactimo.
He was just one second behind the leading pair after just over two hours in the saddle. Hennebry edged out Kirk Vickers (Rhino Velo Racing), with the leading four pulling out a useful gap.
Advertisement
The leading four were part of a late breakaway that pulled clear just inside the final 20km.
Related News
And though they did not get a huge gap, the 14 seconds they stole on the nearest challengers may well count in the battle for yellow as the weekend proceeds.
Showing his sprinting form, Hennebry’s team mate Matteo Cigala took the sprint for 5th ahead of Fintan Ryan (Team Leinster)
“I know it is the only the first of four stages, but the course was in many ways equal to the countryside where I live in Carlisle,” said the winner.
“Thankfully, I had a enough gas in the tank to win the uphill sprint. It has to be my biggest win of my career and hopefully it will lead to bigger and better things in the future.
“But, tomorrow is another day and it will about retaining the jersey,” said the stage victor who also wears the first yellow jersey of Kerry Group Rás Mumhan 2018.
Stage 2 starts in Listowel at 11am tomorrow for 130kms of racing. This evening’s runner-up Atkins wears the points jersey into that stage.
Conor Kissane of Killarney CC, who won the A2 classification last year, has taken the climbers’ jersey and Ryan the U23 classification.
The leading A2 after the opening stage is Patrick Clifford. He also rides for Killarney Cycling Club meaning the Kerry club had a great first stage.
Lost more to come.
Topics
