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Last Updated: Feb 2nd, 2010 - 19:01:59 |
FBD Insurance Rás (2.2) – Ireland, May 17-24, 2009.
Stage 3 – May 19th: Cobh - Cahersciveen, 189 km
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| The riders leave Cobh under blue skies at the start of Stage 3 of the 2009 FBD Rás. ©: Stephen McMahon |
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| The route travelled west through County Cork into County Kerry, passing through some of the most picturesque countryside that Ireland has to offer. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| The leading breakaway approaches the top of the first category climb of The Coom with leader of the Mountains Classification Pete Williams (Britain Candi TV Marshalls) setting the pace. ©: Stephen McMahon |
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| David McCann (Ireland National Team) obviously had his eye on the lead in the Mountains Classification. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| David McCann (Ireland National Team) takes maximum points at the top of The Coom. ©: Stephen McMahon |
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| Jaan Kirsipuu (NORWAY Giant-Veolia) leads a fragmented main field on the climb of The Coom. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| Heavy rainfall made the climb even more difficult for the main field. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| The peloton reach the top of the The Coom and embark on a very technical descent. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| Despite the soggy conditions, some brave souls stayed on shouting support until all the riders had reached the top. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| Jaan Kirsipuu (NORWAY Giant-Veolia) applied his sprinting prowess and took victory on stage 3 from Chris Newton (Britain Rapha Condor) and David McCann (Ireland National Team). ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| Winner of stage 1 Niko Eeckhout (Ireland An Post M.Donnelly Grant Thornton Sean Kelly) held off Russ Downing (Britain Candi TV Marshalls) to take fifth on the stage. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| Conor Murphy (Dublin IRC Ushers Insulation) had a particularly active day on stage 3, eventually rolling home in eighth place. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| Paul Griffin (Kerry Total Cleaning Supplies) finished twelfth on the stage and was the first Kerryman to cross the line©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| Race leader Ian Wilkinson (Britain Halfords Bike Hut) led home a sizeable group at 1’ 49” behind the stage winner. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| Niko Eeckhout (Ireland An Post M.Donnelly Grant Thornton Sean Kelly) congratulates Jaan Kirsipuu (NORWAY Giant-Veolia). ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| Brian Kenneally (Meath Engraveit.ie/BDBC) showed his class by taking fourth place on the stage and the First County Rider prize. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| Chris Newton (Britain Rapha Condor) had to settle for second on stage 3 but seemed to be satisfied with his day nonetheless. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| David McCann (Ireland National Team) took the lead in the Mountains Classification. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| Ole Jorgen Jensen (NORWAY Giant-Veolia) maintained his lead in the Best Placed U-23 Rider classification. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| Russ Downing (Britain Candi TV Marshalls) maintained his lead in the Points Classification. ©: Stephen McMahon |
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| Jaan Kirsipuu (NORWAY Giant-Veolia) receives his Stage Winner’s jersey. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| Ian Wilkinson (Britain Halfords Bike Hut) battled hard to defend his race lead. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| The podium after Day 3 of the 2009 FBD Rás: (L-R) Race Leader, Ian Wilkinson (Britain Halfords Bike Hut), First Kerry Rider, Paul Griffin (Kerry Total Cleaning Supplies), Leader of the Points Classification, Russ Downing (Britain Candi TV Marshalls), Leader of the Mountains Classification, David McCann (Ireland National Team), Winner of stage 3, Jaan Kirsipuu (NORWAY Giant-Veolia), Leader of the U-23 category, Ole Jorgen Jensen (NORWAY Giant-Veolia), Second on stage, Chris Newton (Britain Rapha Condor) and First County Rider on stage, Brian Kenneally (Meath Engraveit.ie/BDBC). ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| With one win under his belt and five stages ahead, Jaan Kirsipuu (NORWAY Giant-Veolia) could have his eye on another stage win. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| The presentations had barely finished before Russ Downing (Britain Candi TV Marshalls) began his reconnaissance for Stage 4. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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IMAGES COPYRIGHT: Any images included in this article
remain the property of the photographer, by whom all rights are retained.
Use of images for electronic or print purposes is may be possible with the
express, written permission of the photographer.
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Photographs
are © Copyright Stephen McMahon 2010 - Email:
st.mcmahon(at)gmail.com
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