Cycling:Germany's John Degenkolb outsprinted former race leader Dan Craven to claim the 127-kilometre sixth stage of the FBD Insurance Rás into Gorey.
Degenkolb, from the Germany Thuringer Energie, broke away with Craven (Britain Rapha Condor Sharp), with the German finding the better sprint to take the honours.
“It was a very good stage for me and my team,” said Degenkolb. “We did some very good work today and in the end we got the win.
Stephen O’Sullivan (Meath Engraveit.ie/Jade.ie) was the leading Irish rider in 11th, while Connor McConvey (An Post Grant Thornton M. Donnelly Sean Kelly) also finished in the same time and is the top Irish rider in seventh overall.
Mayo’s David O’Loughlin put in a strong performance to take the early lead alongside last year’s winner Simon Richardson (Britain Sigmasport Specialized) and Fredrik Johansson at the 30-kilometre mark.
O’Loughlin earned himself top points on four of the day’s seven climbs to cement his lead in the King of the Mountains classification. He now has a 15 point advantage over Richardson and will aim to win that competition over the weekend.
The pair were eventually caught by Craven and Degenkolb, who upped the pace in the latter stages.
Race leader Alex Wetterhall (Sweden - Team Sprocket) has two stages to go and will look to consolidate his position in tomorrow’s 151-kilometre stage from Gory to Kilcullen. He is eight seconds clear of the Austrian Josef Kugler.