Three-man breakaway gets 4 mins, then hangs on at Rás Tailteann | Video

Alex Pritchard wins the opening stage after a brave and strong breakaway went for it from very early and made it all the way (Photo: Lorraine O'Sullivan)

Alex Pritchard (Richardsons Trek) has claimed the opening stage of Rás Tailteann 2024 after getting clear in a three-man breakaway that gained four minutes and then just about hung on on the fast and furious road to Kilmallock.

For a time it looked like today's escape may shape the outcome of the general classification for the rest of the week when they put their heads down and managed to gain a maximum advantage of 4:05.

However, while fears they may ride away with the GC on stage 1 did not come to pass, they still fought to stay out front and battle for the podium places on the stage, and have also gained time in the overall, which may yet prove decisive.

The three-man breakaway was comprised of Paul Kennedy (Skyline Cadence), Dom Jackson (Foran CC) and Alex Pritchard (Richardsons Trek) and they did an immense ride today, on a day when 48km were completed in the first hour of racing. after The three breakaway riders went clear about 25km into the 147km stage from Tullamore, Co Offaly, to Kilmallock, Co Limerick.

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Two other men who rode out of their socks today were Luke Smith (Moynalty CC) and Lindsay Watson (All human-VeloRevolution).

Smith and Watson combined to make a two-man chase group that doggedly pursued the breakaway and though they were caught, and never saw the front of the race, it was a fantastic effort that confirms they are in real form for this week.

For the longest time to the 100km marker, the leaders increased their gap on the bunch, to just over four minutes at one point, before the big fight back came at the front of the bunch; the intensity of that pursuit really ramping up in the last 25km.

And that flat out effort split the bunch, with two groups forming; a lead section of about 30 riders followed by 50 more, with many others having been spat out the back of the peloton long before the final got underway.

However, while that pursuit of the leaders was a very strong one, the three men out front hung on with Pritchard taking victory from Kennedy, with Jackson rounding out the podium.

Lots more to come.

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