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Last Updated: Feb 2nd, 2010 - 19:01:59 |
FBD Insurance Rás (2.2) – Ireland, May 17-24, 2009.
Stage 4– May 20th: Cahersciveen - Killorglin, 178 km
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| Jonathon Gibson (Meath Martin Donnelly) ended up in a ditch on stage 3 but was rested and ready for action at the start of stage 4. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| The breakaway makes its way along the coast road toward Dingle with Inch strand in the background. ©: Stephen McMahon |
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| Peter Hawkins (Dublin IRC Ushers Insulation) suffered a puncture on the road from Inch but made it back into the breakaway without difficulty. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| The breakaway riders grapple with the strength-sapping gradient of the Conor Pass. ©: Stephen McMahon |
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| The breakaway riders measured their efforts along the north side of the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry. ©: Stephen McMahon |
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| Meanwhile, back in the main field, the Britain Halfords Bike Hut team were doing their damndest to protect Ian Wilkinson’s race lead. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| After a frantic final kilometre, Nicholas Walker (Australia Cinelli-DownUnder) lunged forward to snatch victory from Jan Barta (KTM AUSTRIA Arbö KTM Junkers). ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| The young Australian celebrates his victory with Belgian teammate Bert Roesems. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| Tom Southam (Britain Rapha Condor) congratulates Nicholas Walker (Australia Cinelli-Down Under) on his win. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| Niko Eeckhout (Ireland An Post M.Donnelly Grant Thornton Sean Kelly) takes time to reflect on the finish. After spending the day slogging it out in the breakaway, fifth on the stage may have been a disappointing result. No doubt he will be motivated to add a second stage win to his tally in the coming days. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| Michael Reddan (Dublin Zilcom-South Dublin) digs deep as he approaches the finish line. ©: Stephen McMahon |
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| After a tough day on the road, Ian Wilkinson (Britain Halfords Bike Hut) relinquished his yellow jersey on Stage 4. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| Nicholas Walker (Australia Cinelli-DownUnder) receives his Stage winner’s jersey. ©: Stephen McMahon |
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| Junior European Points race champion Sam Bennett (Tipperary Dan Morrissey) took seventh on the stage and the Best Placed County Rider award. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| Former Giant Asia professional Paul Griffin (Kerry Total Cleaning Supplies) receives the First Kerryman award from race organiser Dermot Dignam. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| Mark McNally (Britain Halfords Bike Hut) took the lead in the U-23 rider classification. ©: Stephen McMahon |
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| Having taken maximum points on all but one of the climbs on Stage 4, David O’Loughlin (Ireland An Post M.Donnelly Grant Thornton Sean Kelly) took the lead in the Mountains Classification. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| Russ Downing (Britain Candi TV Marshalls) was the only classification leader to retain their title after stage 4. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| Reasons to be cheerful: Simon Richardson (Britain Rapha Condor) waited patiently for his turn on centre stage. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| Meet the new boss: Simon Richardson (Britain Rapha Condor) dons the race leader’s yellow jersey after Stage 4 of the 2009 FBD Rás. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| Simon Richardson (Britain Rapha Condor) salutes the crowd. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| The podium after Day 4 of the 2009 FBD Rás: (L-R): First Kerry Rider, Paul Griffin (Kerry Total Cleaning Supplies), First County Rider, Sam Bennett (Tipperary Dan Morrissey), Winner of Stage, Nicholas Walker (Australia Cinelli-DownUnder), Race Leader, Simon Richardson (Britain Rapha Condor), Second on the stage, Jan Barta (KTM AUSTRIA Arbö KTM Junkers), KOM Leader, David O’Loughlin (Ireland An Post M.Donnelly Grant Thornton Sean Kelly), Points Leader, Russ Downing (Britain Candi TV Marshalls) and Best Placed U-23 Rider, Mark McNally (Britain Halfords Bike Hut). ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| Simon Richardson (Britain Rapha Condor) was obviously pleased with his day on the Dingle Peninsula. ©: Stephen McMahon |
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| While the winners celebrated, it was on with organising the road show that is the Rás. ©: 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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