Daire Feeley of iTap swapped green for yellow on a brilliant second stage of the Ballinrobe Three-Day. Feeley has a slender margin of 22 seconds over John Hodge going into tomorrow's concluding stage (Photo with thanks to Jimmy McElroy and Ballinrobe Three Day)
By Brian Canty
Daire Feeley may not have won either of the opening two stages of the Ballinrobe Three-Day but the iTap rider holds a 22-second lead on general classification going into tomorrow’s final day.
It’s going to be a massive ask for the former Irish junior international to hold on as there are eight riders from eight different teams within a minute of him and the stage is a hilly 120-kilometre circuit of Lough Mask.
But the prolific Feeley has been one of the best young riders in the country for the last few years and winning this is definitely within his grasp.
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Feeley was runner-up to Aaron O’Brien (Mego RAW Cycles Racing Team) yesterday and was fifth today behind stage winner Paul McCarter (Donegal Bay CC), Anthony Murray (Cunga CC), Shane Scully (Nenagh CC) and John Hodge (Dungarvan CC).
And it’s the latter who trails Feeley closest overall.
“Our plan was to win yellow this weekend ever since Rás Mumhan got away from us,” said the new race leader.
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“We were to go up to do the Tour of Ulster but because we’re travelling to Europe later in the season we just don't have the funds in the team at the moment."
Feeley admitted he misjudged the sprint that decided matters yesterday but he also said it was easier to attack for yellow than to defend it, so losing was no major catastrophe.
“I was racing for yellow today,” he said.
“The stage was strange so I went back to the car and was told by Jonathan (Gibson, manager) to leave it until the last climb and smash it, so I did that and four came with me.
“They all wanted to ride so it was happy days.”
Tomorrow sees the riders tackle four climbs, including the cat 1 Ail Dubh after 72.2 kilometres.
Feeley knows he has it all to do, but is bullish about his chances.
“Who knows how it'll play out tomorrow with a number of teams there. All I know is David Brody is on my team so that’s all that matters.
“My mam likes me in yellow and I could do with a bunch of flowers for her too so added motivation!”
