Stage two is both hillier and longer than day one, extending 178 kilometres from Wexford to Cobh. Passing through New Ross, Waterford and skirting Dungarvan, the riders will scale the category two climb of The Sweep plus the third category ascents of Glenmore and Youghal en route to the distinctive uphill finish in Cobh.
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11.05: Good morning and welcome to Live coverage from stage two of the 2009 FBD Insurance Rás. It’s brighter today and the riders are setting off in dry conditions from Wexford town. There are plenty of clouds skulking around, though, so a day without showers is not guaranteed.
11.10: The race has officially started and straight away Steve Calland (Britain Surrey Racing League) attacked.
11.12: He’s got 20 seconds. He is a British Airways pilot. That’s the beauty of the FBD Rás – you get riders from all backgrounds taking part.
11.15: He has been joined by two riders – Paul Healion (Ireland national team) and Eugene Moriarty (Meath Engraveit/ie/BDBC).
11.18: Calland has dropped back to the peloton, which is just 100 metres behind the other two.
11.20: They were caught and Martyn Irvine (Ireland national team) attacked. He has been joined by four others, but they were all hauled back. Pete Williams (Britain Candi TV – Marshall’s Pasta) now tries.
11.27: He’s been caught by a few others but this too has been caught. Now four others kick clear – they are David O'Loughlin (Ireland An Post M.Donnelly), Paul Healion (Ireland National Team), Pete Williams (Britain Candi TV Marshalls Pasta) and Ian Wilkinson (Britain Halfords Bike Hut)
They were joined by Sven De Weerdt (Australia Cinelli-DownUnder) and Simon Richardson (Britain Rapha Condor), and then by James Spragg (China Trek Marco Polo), Mads Christensen (Denmark Designa Kokken) and Joachim Pettersen (Norway Giant-Veolia) .
11.34: This group has some good firepower and is now nine seconds clear...
Joachim Pettersen (Norway Giant Veoila) dropped back to the bunch.
The main field has stalled, so this group is pulling further clear.
11.36: The eight leaders have a gap of 42 seconds. The main bunch has stalled again, but Simon Kelly (Dublin IRC Usher Insulations) and Sean Lacey (Dublin Eurocycles) are chasing. It’s going to be very tough for them to get across that gap – the leaders won’t be waiting around.
11.43: They are one minute and five seconds back, while the bunch is one minute and 27 seconds back.
11.50: The octet are pressing on, undaunted by a sudden shower of heavy rain. They are one minute and 30 seconds ahead of a bunch which is likely to be demoralised by this change in climate.
The break is now in New Ross, having covered 32 kilometres of racing.
The break is working well together. The riders are heading up a drag but the first KOM of the day (Glenmore, category 3) doesn’t happen for a few more kilometres.
12.07: Wide open roads, windy, draggy roads; it’s tough up at the front, but they are all working well. The riders are slightly spread out from left to right, reflecting the wind direction.
12.10: The break and the peloton are on the category three climb of Glenmore. O’Loughlin was at the back of the chain and nearly clipped the wheel of Healion. He stayed upright, though.
It’s a strong headwind on this climb. A rider jumps clear about 200 metres to go and takes the prime – looks like Candi TV’s Pete Williams. We’ll bring you those prime results when they are finalised and announced.
Ok, here we go:
Category 3 climb, Glenmore, 41.5km:
1, Pete Williams (Britain CandiTV Marshall’s Pasta) 5pts
2, James Spragg (China Trek Marco Polo) 4
3, David O’Loughlin (Ireland An Post M. Donnelly Grant Thornton Sean Kelly) 3
4, Sven De Weerdt (Australia Cinelli Down Under) 2
The riders are running behind schedule due to the headwind; it’s expected that there will be a headwind all day.
12.14: The gap is one minute and 45 seconds. The break is on a slight descent, but are still being hit by a headwind.
12.21: The gap is now two minutes and 25 seconds – the bunch has stalled significantly. Ivaylo Gabrovski (Greece Heraklion Nessebar) was dragging the bunch along for quite some time but has now sat up. No team seems prepared to take the responsibility of chasing.
There are eight different teams represented up front, with most of the biggest squads represented.
12.26: The gap is now three minutes and ten seconds as the break heads towards Waterford.
12.29: It’s bucketing rain now. The riders are on the outskirts of the city. Pat Power, father of former pro Ciarán Power, is marshalling on a corner in the rain. He (and many others around the country) do excellent volunteer work for the sport.
Ciarán Power retired at the end of last season. He was a very good rider, taking 13th in the 2004 Olympics plus many other good results. He was controversially overlooked for a grant last season - despite taking fourth in the 1.HC Rund um Koln in 2007 – and, without a decent contract, decided to stop. That was a pity as he certainly had more good results in his legs.
12.40: Re our earlier mention of Twitter, you can also follow these updates easily from most internet-ready mobile phones. Navigate to www.FBDRas.com for handy links to updates, photos and reports.
12.42: The rain has eased off now...cue sighs of relief in what must have been a nervous bunch. There were many bends and curves to negotiate in Waterford.
The break is now heading towards Dungarvan.
12.54: A group of 17 riders have been chasing but are still two minutes and 40 seconds back. We'll keep tabs on things.
13.11: That group was caught. The break has covered 78.2 kilometres in the first two hours of racing. They’ve been battling a headwind and so the average speed will be lower than usual.
The gap is now two minutes and 50 seconds. 79 kilometres have been covered, and so there’s just under 100 to go.
There’s an armada of team cars behind the break, all bearing spare bikes and wheels in case their rider has a problem.
To recap, these are the riders in the break:
David O'Loughlin (Ireland An Post M.Donnelly), Paul Healion (Ireland National Team), Pete Williams (Britain Candi TV Marshalls Pasta) , Ian Wilkinson (Britain Halfords Bike Hut), Sven De Weerdt (Australia Cinelli-DownUnder), Simon Richardson (Britain Rapha Condor), James Spragg (China Trek Marco Polo) and Mads Christensen (Denmark Designa Kokken).
Most of the big teams are represented here, as mentioned. That bodes well for the break, although it’s hard to know how hard they and the bunch are riding. Both groups could be ticking through and, if one increases pace, the other could well do the same.
The break is passing under a bridge over the dual carriageway. Despite the weather, there’s a crowd gathered there to cheer them on.
It’s very hard to predict how the conditions will be in the FBD Rás...some editions have been warm and sunny, while others have been like this one. We hope it picks up later in the week.
13.21: Bear in mind that a sizeable proportion of those taking part are amateurs, taking holidays off work to take part in the race. That’s a noble commitment.
An update as to the situation: there are three chasers at three minutes and 15 seconds; the peloton is three minutes and 50 seconds back. The chasers are Seán Lacey (Dublin Eurocycles) , Micéal Concannon (Kerry Total Cleaning Supplies) and Aidan Crowley (Meath Engraveit.ie/BDBC) .
They have little chance of getting up to the eight in front, and so are probably thinking more about the county prizes up for grabs. In order to cater for the aforementioned amateur riders, the FBD Rás also has competitions for county riders, county teams and category two competitors.
13.30: UCI President Pat McQuaid has been in touch, making what could be a light-hearted reference to yesterday’s neutralised stage of the Giro. He said of today’s FBD Rás stage: “Good to hear of guys actually prepared to race regardless of the conditions!”
13.41: It’s as it was here – break of eight riders clear, heads down on a tough day in the saddle. Will one of them win the stage? We’ll have a better idea of that closer to the finish but, for now, they are doing everything right.
Thanks to everyone for their messages. Because of the demands of doing two feeds (and attempting to work on the ‘how it happened’ part of this evening’s report), there’s not enough time to reply...but we appreciate your messages. Glad you are enjoying the coverage!
13.46: There are now five chasers, three minutes back. They are Jaan Kirsipuu (Norway Giant-Veolia), Steve Lampier (Merseyside KuK Kinesis Bikes), Kristian House (Britain Rapha Condor), John Veness (Britain Surrey Racing League), Brian Kenneally (Meath Engraveit.ie/BDBC) .
They were joined by three others, and then eight others came up.
14.05: Bear with us – there was a bit of a delay in working out names of the chasers. The sixteen who are in pursuit are:
Paidi O'Brien (Ireland An Post M.Donnelly), Martyn Irvine (Ireland National Team), Leon van Bon (China Trek Marco Polo), Luke Roberts (Germany Kuota-Indeland), Alexander Gottfried (Germany Kuota-Indeland), Ole Jorgen Jensen (Norway Giant-Veolia), Jaan Kirsipuu (Norway Giant-Veolia), Chris Newton (Britain Rapha Condor), Kristian House (Britain Rapha Condor), Rob Partridge (Britain Halfords Bike Hut), Russell Downing (Britain Candi TV Marshalls), James Sampson (Britain Candi TV Marshalls), Steve Lampier (Merseyside KuK Kinesis Bikes), Simon Kelly (Dublin IRC Ushers Insulations), Michael Fitzgerald (Dublin Eurocycles) and Brian Kenneally (Meath Engraveit.ie/BDBC).
The chasers are one minute and 33 seconds back, with the main field two minutes and 20 seconds.
That’s a very strong chase group. If you consider who’s there and also in the front group, it’s most of the big guns in this FBD Insurance Rás. We wouldn’t be surprised if this is one of the key moves of this race.
David McCann (Ireland national team) and Jan Barta (Austria Arbo KTM Junkers) are trying to get across. Martyn Irvine (Ireland national team) has sat up from the chase group – he’s clearly waiting for McCann.
The chasers are now one minute and 15 seconds back. The main field is at one minute and 32 seconds...will the elastic snap, or can the main bunch get back on terms?
We are waiting for the leaders on The Sweep, the day’s second climb. It is a cat 2 ascent and tops out at 114 km.
Micheal Fitzgerald (Dublin Eurocycles) and James Sampson (Britain Candi TV Marshall’s Pasta) have been dropped by the chase group.
14.18: Things are splitting up behind. The chase group was caught by several others; there are now three big groups on the road. The break is pushing on into the strong wind, but there’s a very large group nibbling away at its lead.
The break is now in sight...it looks like they will be caught in the next ten kilometres or so. The gap is now one minute and ten seconds.
It’s a hard day for a smallish break...the roads have been very wide and exposed to winds.
Results of the second KOM:
Category two climb of The Sweep, 114km:
1, Simon Richardson (Britain Rapha Condor) 10
2, Pete Williams (Britain Candi TV Marshalls) 8
3, Mads Christensen (Denmark Designa Kokken)6
4, James Spragg (China Trek Marco Polo) 4
5, Ian Wilkinson (Britain Halfords Bike Hut) 3
6, David O’Loughlin (Ireland An Post M. Donnelly Grant Thornton Sean Kelly) 1
Paul Healion and Sven De Weerdt were dropped from the break on the climb.
14.33: The gap is now 54 seconds for the leaders. They are dangling out there but, with 50 kilometres remaining it seems quite possible that they will be caught.
The skies have cleared to our left, and it’s brightening up. The sun is out...
Alexander Gottfried (Germany Kuota Indeland) is now 45 seconds back, with the main field slipping to one minute and 15 seconds back.
14.40: Gottfried was caught and passed by Ole Jorgen Jensen (Norway Giant Veoila). He’s been picked up by Bert Roesems (Australia Cinelli Down Under).
Jorgen Jensen is 58 seconds back, with the other two one minute and 7 seconds in arrears. The peloton is now one minute and 40 seconds back...looks like the impetus has gone out of the chase.
Jorgen Jensen has been joined by Roesems and Gottfried.
14.55: Pete Williams (Britain Candi TV Marshall’s Pasta) has been dropped by the leaders, and passed by the three chasers.
James Spragg (China Trek Marco Polo) was also dropped...he’ll be picked up by them soon.
The day’s final climb:
Category 3 climb at Youghal, 135.4km:
1, Mads Christensen (Denmark Designa Kokken) 5
2, Ian Wilkinson (Britain Halfords Bike Hut) 4
3, David O'Loughlin (Ireland An Post M.Donnelly) 3
4, Simon Richardson (Britain Rapha Condor) 2
Those four remain the leaders. Gottfried, Jorgen Jensen, Roesems and Spragg are one minute and two seconds behind, while the peloton is three minutes and ten seconds back.
With just over 30 kilometres to go, it looks possible that one of these eight riders will take the stage.
Kudos to the four riders up front...they’ve been out there for a long, long time, despite a headwind that has seen them cover 146 kilometres in four hours of racing.
15.18: The four chasers are now one minute and 40 seconds back...so they are fading. That’s some ride by the front four.
The main field is at four minutes and 50 seconds! So one of the front four look very likely to take the stage, and the jersey.
Of those, Ian Wilkinson (Britain Halfords Bike Hut) is best placed overall; he started today’s stage in fourth, and so will be thinking of yellow.
Behind the first chase group, there are three others. They are Jan Barta (Austria Arbo KTM Junkers), Rune Jogert (Norway Giant Veoila) and Darren Lapthorne (Britain Rapha Condor). They are riding hard and could well catch the next group.
15.22: Further ahead, O’Loughlin and Mads Christensen look to have shot themselves in the foot. Apparently there was a bit of arguing between them and they took each other out the back.
It looks like O’Loughlin has blown...he’s taking a coke from the team car (not a la Tom Boonen, we add), and has resigned himself to being caught by those behind. Christensen is chasing alone, but he’s going to find it tough to catch the two leaders.
15.27: The leaders and the next chasers are inside the final 25 kilometres.
O’Loughlin is now one minute and 40 seconds behind Simon Richardson (Britain Rapha Condor) and Ian Wilkinson (Britain Halfords Bike Hut), with Christensen chasing in between.
We spoke to John Herety, the Rapha Condor team manager. He said that O’Loughlin had stopped working and Christensen took him out the back. O’Loughlin chased back on, but Christiansen did the same twice more. O’Loughlin eventually blew, while Christiansen also found himself out the back.
He’s chasing very hard, though, and might make it back on. He’s about 15 seconds back.
Richardson won a stage and took yellow last year. We think Wilkinson is the stronger today, though; time will tell.
Bit confusing – first three riders on the road are Wilkinson, Richardson and Christensen. Similar-enough names.
The main bunch is six minutes back! There are some chasers inbetween the leaders and the peloton, but others would appear to have thrown the race away. This is a real Rás stage...
O’Loughlin has lost contact with the chasers.
15.43: Christensen is now 55 seconds back; game over as far as the stage is concerned.
Behind, the chasing groups merged several kilometres ago. Ole Jorgen Jensen (Norway Giant Veoila), Bert Roesems (Australia Cinelli Down Under), Jan Barta (Austria Arbo KTM Junkers), Rune Jogert (Norway Giant Veoila) and Darren Lapthorne (Britain Rapha Condor) push on and are closing on Christensen, while Alexander Gottfried (Germany Kuota Indeland) , David O’Loughlin (Ireland An Post M.Donnelly Grant Thornton Sean Kelly) and James Spragg (China Trek Marco Polo) have all been dropped.
15.55: We have gone on to the finish and are awaiting the riders. The final 500 metres is very steep..
We understand the two leaders are still together. Further back, the chasers are spread out.
16.05: One kilometre to go for the two leaders...
Wilkinson on his own! He climbs up to the line, taking the stage and the yellow jersey. Richardson finishes five or more seconds back, looking worn out..
16.08: Very impressive ride...with about twenty kilometres to go, John Herety had told us that Wilkinson was very strong.
No other riders in yet...this is a dominant display..
16.09: Now Christensen finishes, quite far back.. He'll regret his disagreement with O'Loughlin. If he hadn't spent so much time taking him out the back, he may well have stayed with the two leaders.
A small group comes in several seconds later. Looks like Rune Jogert (Norway Giant-Veolia) ahead of Jan Barta (Austria Arbö KTM Junkers) and a couple of others.
Alexander Gottfried, James Spratt and David O'Loughlin now finish, followed by other riders. The race leader will be very far back.
There were many county riders coming in ahead of the bunch. That suggests that the peloton sat up and the county riders then clipped away, trying to go for those competitions.
The peloton is in with many tired riders. The time gaps will be huge tonight.
16.35: We'll leave it there - come back later for full results and a report. Thanks for reading, and surf this way tomorrow for coverage from stage three of the 2009 FBD Insurance Rás!
1, Ian Wilkinson (Britain Halfords Bike Hut) 4 hours 56 mins 11 secs
2, Simon Richardson (Britain Rapha Condor) at 14 secs
3, Mads Christensen (Denmark Designa Kokken) at 3 minutes 3 secs
4, Rune Jogert (Norway Giant-Veolia) at 3 mins 38 secs
5, Jan Barta (Austria Arbö KTM Junkers)
6, Bert Roesems (Australia Cinelli-Down Under)
7, Darren Lapthorne (Britain Rapha Condor) all same time
8, Ole Jorgen Jensen (Norway Giant-Veolia) at 3 mins 49 secs
9, Alexander Gottfried (Germany Kuota-Indeland) at 6 mins 57 secs
General classification:
1, Ian Wilkinson (Britain Halfords Bike Hut) 7 hours 49 mins 18 secs
2, Simon Richardson (Britain Rapha Condor) at 19 secs
3, Mads Christensen (Denmark Designa Kokken) at 3 mins 8 secs
4, Rune Jogert (Norway Giant-Veolia) at 3 mins 43 secs
5, Darren Lapthorne (Britain Rapha Condor)
6, Bert Roesems (Australia Cinelli-Down Under)
7, Jan Barta (Austria Arbö KTM Junkers) all same time
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Here Live Reports were last updated:Feb 2nd, 2010 - 19:01:59
