Ronan McLaughlin goes so close on epic Rás Mumhan stage
Ronan McLaughlin went very close to a big win at Rás Mumhan, but it was the British visitors who seized the day (All photos by Brendan Slattery)
By Brian Canty
Today’s third stage of Kerry Group Rás Mumhan has turned out to be an absolute classic. The Irish riders pushed all the way but the British riders stole the day.
Lawrence Carpenter of the Surrey League Team took the stage from Ronan McLaughlin (Aqua Blue Academy) and Keith Finn (Planet-X Bikes).
McLaughlin, who has ridden for An Post-Chainreaction in the past and been selected for Ireland's World Road Championships team, was also aggressive in the closing stages.
He attacked the breakaway in a bid to go clear alone in the last couple of kilometres but was brought back. And in the end he had to be content with 2nd behind Carpenter.
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The result saw Dillon Byrne (VCUK Velo Champion) take over as leader going into tomorrow’s final stage around Killorglin. But there are plenty riders who will fancy their chances of a late smash and grab.
The longest stage of the race was always going to be the real turning point. And on a day when strong winds blew the peloton to bits, the time gaps were significant.
There were five categorised climbs on the agenda over the course of the 155-kilometre stage and the cat 1 Coom an Easpaig came with just 25 kilometres remaining.
One of the big pre-race favourites, Sean Lacey, showed he was up for battle with an attack straight after the drop of the flag.
He was joined by teammate Matteo Cigala as well as Mark O’Callaghan (Ireland U23 Team) and Stephen Murray (Strata3-VeloRevolution).
But that was move deemed too dangerous to be given any rope by the peloton behind.
Dillon Byrne has relieved Paul Kennedy of the yellow jersey at Kerry Group Rás Mumhan with just stage remaining (Photo: BrendanSlattery)
The cat 3 climb of Kilurley after 25 kilometres meant the pace was high early on.
And though Adam Darbyshire of VCUK Velo Champion was aggressive here, it was KOH leader Eoin Morton (UCD-Fitzcycles.ie) who took maximum points at the top.
Morton, Jamie Blanchfield and Ryan Reilly (both Irish U23 team) were next to try their luck.
And though they stretched their lead to half a minute they were again reeled in under the intense pressure from behind.
A lap of Valentia Island, after 41 kilometres, failed to be the launchpad for any moves.
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But when the peloton got back to the mainland the next move was one that saw the elastic eventually snap.
Going clear was the aforementioned O'Callaghan, Adam Stenson (both Ireland U23 team), Mick Fitzgerald (Strata3/VeloRevolution) and Dillon Byrne (VCUK Velo Champion).
Also present was Keith Finn (Planet X) and Matt Garthwaite and Kirk Vickers, both Rhino Velo Racing.
Clinton O'Mahony (Mercedes Benz-Cork Giant) was also in the break as was Sean Lacey (Aqua Blue Academy) and Páidí O'Brien (Killorglin CC).
They went over the penultimate climb, 78km into the stage, half a minute clear.
Fitzgerald was first to blow and drop back. That left nine up front with around 60km remaining.
Vickers was next to lose contact. And on the approach to Coom an Easpaig it was eight up front with a gap of a minute.
Byrne and Lacey went clear as the road began to rise. A gallant O’Brien gave chase with the remaining five breakaway men just behind.
Further back the road, Blanchfield (Ireland U23 team), Conor Kissane (Killarney CC), Simon Ryan (Strata3-VeloRevolution), James Davenport (Strata3VeloRevolution) and Aaron O'Brien (Newcastle West CC) broke clear of the peloton.
They began to give chase to those up ahead. And on the climb of Coom An Easpaig at 120kkm the original break regrouped.
However, O’Mahony and O’Brien were feeling the pinch. They began to slip back to the chase group with the peloton around two minutes back.
O'Callaghan, Stenson, Finn, Lacey and Byrne went over the top of the climb together. They made for home with 25 kilometres to go – though still the climb of St Finian’s Bay to negotiate.
Lacey pushed on solo while behind a flying Mark Dowling bridged to the chasers.
His making the juncture made a chase group comprised of himself Byrne, Matt Garthwaite (Rhino Velo Race Team), Stenson, O'Callaghan and Finn.
Lacey was clear at this point and pushing for home. But the pace ramped up behind with Morton and Leon Mazzone (Isle of Man) closing fast.
The yellow jersey and yesterday’s stage winner Paul Kennedy (Newcastle West) was almost 1’30” behind.
It was a frantic last 10 kilometres as Lacey’s brave bid for a solo win was brought back as the group behind him was caught by Mark Dowling’s chasing group.
Lacey was mopped up by a group containing Dillon Byrne and five chasers; Garthwaite, Stenson, O'Callaghan, Dowling and Finn.
And when another wave of riders came up from behind the race was blown wide open. Cathal Moynihan of Tralee Manor West Hotel was now among those present up front.
Dowling and McLaughlin made surges for stage glory in the closing kilometres as the lead group split and regrouped.
But it was a flying Carpenter who timed his jump right to take a massive win.
And when Byrne rolled across the line a few seconds back the yellow jersey was his.
Morton managed to hold the KOM jersey, while Tom Mazzone held the green points jersey.
More to follow.
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