Tralee's Cathal Moynihan on top of the podium in Killorglin this evening after winning the opening stage of Kerry Group Rás Mumhan.
Former international rower turned bike rider, Cathal Moynihan has taken the opening stage of the Kerry Group Rás Mumhan this afternoon.
He made the decisive 11-rider escape and in the closing kilometres as they attacked each other hard, the Kerry man pulled clear with Holland's Sjors Dekker and got the better of him at the finish in Killorglin.
They pounced from a breakaway that included Sean Lacey (Aquablue), Ryan Donovan (Aquablue), Tino Haakman (West Fresia), Ben Carty, Ian Richardson (UCD CC), Chris Reilly (Liquidworx-Fitscience), Gary Jeffers (Omagh), Jack Pullar (Scottish Cycling) and Sean McKenna (Ireland U23).
That move pulled clear with around 35km of the 105km stage remaining and almost immediately opened a 40-second gap, increasing in time to over one minute.
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They blasted into the finish in Killorglin, never really looking like they would be caught despite some of the big favourites being stranded in the peloton behind.
In the closing kilometres after Pullar took the third and final climbers' prime of the day, Ian Richardson and Chris Reilly jumped with 3km to go but were caught.
Pullar then went on his own but was caught, before what proved to be the race-winning move was launched at around 1km to go.
And up the final ramp in Killorglin it was Moynihan who beat West Fresia’s Dekker for the stage win and first yellow jersey of the race.
It was Moynihan's biggest win of his cycling career, though he was a top flight international rower before taking up cycling some years ago.
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Pullar was third and Chris Reilly came home fourth. Grant Ferguson riding with the Scottish Cycling team takes the mountains jersey after stage 1.
More later.
April 18th to 21st: Kerry Group Rás Mumhan
Results: Stage 1, Killorglin 105km
- Cathal Moynihan (Tralee Manor West BC) 2hrs 14mins 51 secs
- Sjors Dekker (West Frisa) @8 secs
- Jack Pullar (Scotland) @17 secs
- Chis Reilly (Liquidworx Fitscience) @18secs
- Tino Haakman (West Fresia) @same time
- Ben Carty (Felt Colbornes) @same time
King of Hills - Grant Ferguson (Scotland); Points - Moynihan; U23 Dekker; Senior 2 & 3 leader Bryan Long (Finbarr's-Centra)
Cathal Moynihan has taken the opening stage in his native Kerry of Kerry Group Rás Mumhan, having pounced in the final 1km from a breakaway. Seen here winning the Cycling Pursuits Cup last year (Photo: www.blackumbrella.ie)
