James Curry knew he was riding into the yellow jersey at Rás Dun na nGall when he escaped in the latter half of the stage yesterday afternoon. Though he was beaten in the gallop by Kevin McKinney (Velo Cafe Magasin) he took the race lead and will carry a 16-second advantage into the final stage this afternoon. (Photo credit: Tommy Heaney)
By Brian Canty
James Curry claimed the yellow jersey in stunning fashion at Rás Dun na nGall yesterday and will take a 16-second lead into the final stage this afternoon.
The 18 year-old from Banbridge, riding for Cycle Sierra Nevada, came into the third stage one second adrift of race leader and double stage winner Adam Stenson of Bikeworx Celbridge.
But when he escaped with three others with 40 kilometres of the stage remaining, they put their heads down and pulled out a gap on the bunch that looks all but impossible to reel back in.
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Curry was edged in the sprint by Kevin McKinney (Velo Café Magasin) but the bronze medallist from the U23 cyclocross championships will wear yellow into the concluding stage.
The bunch were almost two minutes behind, with Stenson emptying himself to make the margin as small as possible.
“On the second lap I went for the time bonus but when the gap was pretty big to those behind I started riding for the last lap to keep our advantage.
“Kevin McKinney (Velo Cafe Magasin), Colm McGarvey (Epic MTB/Expert Cycles) and Geoffrey Robinson (Bray Wheelers) all came with me but they were struggling.
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“I was doing the most turns to keep the gap out. I did care about the stage but I wanted the yellow jersey more than anything,” he said.
Stenson battled hard behind but with just a couple of teammates it was always going to be difficult.
“It was a perfect position for me to be in,” said Curry of how he started one second down on Stenson.
“I did a good time-trial in the morning and I knew I could get the jersey in the afternoon.”
He knows he’ll have his work cut out today to hold it, even though some would argue he only has to watch the three others who came to the line with him yesterday.
“I’m not really sure how it will go,” he said.
“I think it’ll all come down to the summit finish on Glengesh Pass.
“Hopefully we can keep it together until then and hit it hard at the base of the climb.”
He only has 16 seconds on McKinney and knows on such a hard climb that such a lead is nothing.
“I only have Cameron McIntyre for help as well,” he continued.
“My only other teammate Cormac Keaney crashed and snapped his bike and he’s in hospital so it is still anyone’s race.”
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