Cycling:Australian Nicholas Walker recorded his second win in as many days on the 155 kilometre fifth stage of the FBD Insurance Rás from Killorglin to Scarriff today.
The 20-year-old was first to the line after holding off the challenge from quadruple Tour de France stage winner Jaan Kirsipuu (Norway Giant Veoila).
While Cinelli Down Under competitor Walker was delighted with his rare back-to-back stage wins Simon Richardson of the Rapha Condor team maintained the overall lead and defend the yellow jersey.
Richardson’s team-mates Darren Lapthorne and Chris Newton both started the day inside the top ten and, instead of Rapha Condor chasing down each move they simply tried to get one or other into it. Newton eventually got clear when seven other riders clipped away 40 kilometres after the start.
Marking David O'Loughlin (Ireland An Post M. Donnelly Grant Thornton Sean Kelly), Morten Kruse Brink (Denmark Designa Kokken), Luke Roberts (Germany Kuota-Indeland), Rune Jogert (Norway Giant-Veolia), Rob Partridge (Britain Halfords Bike Hut), Pete Williams (Britain Candi TV Marshalls) and Eugene Moriarty (Meath Engraveit.ie/BDBC), he and the group gained two and a half minutes and caused a stir behind.
The Denmark Designa Kokken and Austria Arbo KTM Junkers teams of Mads Christensen and Jan Barta, second and third overall, realised they could lose their placings to Newton and started to chase furiously. The net effect was Rapha Condor had to do very little and could remain fresh for the final three stages.
“Today was a great day for us,” said Richardson afterwards. “Everything went perfectly to plan. As much as possible we had a fairly easy day in the bunch, as KTM and Designa Kokken did 90 per cent of the work to bring that break back.”
Former Olympic team pursuit champion Roberts attacked 35 kilometres from the finish, and was eventually joined by Newton and Mayo rider O’Loughlin. The latter took maximum points on the day’s second climb and had strengthened his lead in the mountains competition, but was gunning for the stage win.
However, all three were however mopped up by the main bunch with around ten kilometres to go, setting things up for the duel between Kirsipuu and Walker and the latter’s second victory.
“It was very frustrating,” said O’Loughlin. I felt good today but we were caught. I’ll keep trying for a stage win.”
So too will the other Irish riders in the race. Paul Healion (Ireland national team) was a fine fifth in the bunch gallop, while 18-year-old Sam Bennett (Tipperary Dan Morrissey) was three places further back, netting his third top eight finish in five days. He’s also 20th overall, a promising Rás debut.
“If I am in the right position I know I can compete with those fellows,” said the Carrick on Suir rider. “I feel in my heart and soul that I can. Maybe in the next few days I can get in another group, get in a good position and finish further up further.”
The race continues tomorrow with a mainly flat 159 kilometre leg to Castlebar.