Cycling:Down native Martyn Irvine became the first Irish winner of this year's An Post Rás after a stunning solo ride which saw him make one final attack inside the last 10 kilometres of the seventh stage before holding out for victory.
The Asia Giant Kenda rider spent almost the entire stage in the leading group and once he made the decisive break, guts and determination ensured got him over the line. He finished ahead of Ralf Matza (Germany Thuringer Energie) and Bernardo Riccio (Italy D’Angelo D’Antenucci) into second and third respectively.
The penultimate stage of this year’s race - 161 kilometre route from Tramore to Kildare Town – enjoyed action from the outset with Shane Archbold (New Zealand National Team) quickly on the attack.
The young Kiwi track rider built up a small lead but he was soon hauled in by seven riders including Irvine. The group then forged ahead and built up a lead of over four minutes at the halfway point, meaning Archbold was virtual race leader on the road. The chasing peloton was unsurprisingly headed by the An Post Team Kelly team, who were doing their all to protect Gediminas Bagdonas’ yellow jersey.
By the time the leaders reached the final Category One climb of this year’s race, their lead had been cut to 1:28. The eight riders stayed together over the hill, but 35 kilometres from home it looked certain that they would be caught by the chasing peloton as the lead was cut to under a minute. Then with 27 kilometres to go Irvine attacked, joining up with Kohei Uchima (Italy D’Angelo & D’Antenucci) and Casey Munro (Britain Rapha Condor Sharp).
The trio looked to push on and they built up a lead of just under a minute with 10 kilometres to go. Irvine, however, was not to be denied as he launched one last ditch attack as the peloton closed in. The Ulsterman held on much to the delight of the huge crowd at the finish line, taking the stage by six seconds.
An emotional Irvine was thrilled to win, having drawn inspiration from his late friend Paul Healion.
“Someone told me that it was my day today and I didn’t get excited and just used my head. When I saw the 5K to go sign I gave everything and it worked out well,” said Irvine, noting Healion was a Rás stage winner in 2009.
“I was good buddies with Paul Healion. It was an inspiration knowing him, he was a great bike rider and I’m delighted to do what he did as well.”
Meanwhile, An Post Sean Kelly team manager Kurt Bogaerts was pleased that a potentially difficult day was out of the way, but it was not without a scare as Bagdonas suffered a puncture close to the finish. Luckily it occurred three kilometres from the finish line, which according to UCI rules ensured he was given the same time as the peloton.
“It wasn’t the toughest stage today, but it was certainly dangerous for us. We had to maintain a control on the race and the team rode really well,” he said.
“We will try and do the same tomorrow and keep a grip on the race. It’s far from over as you saw with Bagdonas’ puncture. If it had happened a few more kilometres out then everything would be different. Maybe we got the luck we needed today.”