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Last Updated: Feb 2nd, 2010 - 19:01:59 |
FBD Insurance Rás (2.2) – Ireland, May 17-24, 2009.
Stage 6 – May 22nd Scarriff - Castlebar, 159 km
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| The peloton make their way through the rugged countryside of County Galway on Stage 6 of the 2009 FBD Rás. As the song goes, ‘low lie the fields of Athenry.’ ©: Stephen McMahon |
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| The Britain Rapha Condor team set a high tempo to protect their interests in the race. ©: Stephen McMahon |
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| The major breakaway of the day where kept on a short leash by the peloton and under close observation by the TV camera motorbike. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| The race travelled in a north-westerly direction along the N17, a road renowned for picturesque scenery. As the song goes ‘I wish I was on the N17, stone walls and the grass is green.’ ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| No rain fell on Stage 6 of FBD Rás, a welcome relieve from the squally conditions of late. ©: Stephen McMahon |
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| The technical final 250 metres was ideal for an all-or-nothing solo move and Paul Healion (Ireland National Team) took full advantage. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| Paul Healion (Ireland National Team) senses victory and begins to celebrate. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| Paul Healion realises that after 159 kilometres of hard and fast racing victory is his on Stage 6. ©: Stephen McMahon |
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| The victor and the vanquished: Paul Healion (Ireland National Team) took the gamble and made it pay on Stage 6. ©: Stephen McMahon |
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| Paul Healion (Ireland National Team) hits the line and takes a fantastic win on Stage 6. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| David McCann (Ireland National Team) was close enough to witness his teammate’s victory and punched the air in celebration. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| The reigning national time trial champion realised a life’s ambition by taking victory on Stage 6 of the 2009 FBD Rás. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| Where green is worn: to have taken the victory while riding on his national team may have made it all the sweeter. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| Mark McNally (Britain Halfords Bike Hut) and Nicholas Walker (Australia Cinelli-DownUnder) discuss their day on the road as they wait for the presentations to begin. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| Category leader’s jerseys on standby. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| Nicholas Walker (Australia Cinelli-DownUnder) had to settle for third place on Stage 6 but the Australian will be waiting in the shadows on the two remaining stages, on the lookout for another win to complete his hat trick. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| Jaan Kirsipuu (Norway Giant-Veolia) had to settle for second on Stage 6. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| Winner of Stage 6 Paul Healion (Ireland National team) dons his stage winner’s jersey. ©: Stephen McMahon |
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| Sam Bennett (Tipperary Dan Morrissey) took the First County rider prize for the third day in a row. ©: Stephen McMahon |
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| Mark McNally (Britain Halfords Bike Hut) maintained his lead in the Best Placed U-23 rider category. ©: Stephen McMahon |
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| KOM Leader, David O’Loughlin (Ireland An Post M.Donnelly Grant Thornton Sean Kelly). ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| Russ Downing (Britain Candi TV Marshalls) maintained his lead in the Points Classification with eighth place on stage 6. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| Race Leader, Simon Richardson (Britain Rapha Condor) salutes the crowd in Castlebar. ©: Stephen McMahon |
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| The podium after Day 6 of the 2009 FBD Rás: (L-R): KOM Leader, David O’Loughlin (Ireland An Post M.Donnelly Grant Thornton Sean Kelly), Best Placed U-23 Rider, Mark McNally (Britain Halfords Bike Hut), Third on the stage, Nicholas Walker (Australia Cinelli-DownUnder), Race Leader, Simon Richardson (Britain Rapha Condor), Points Leader, Russ Downing (Britain Candi TV Marshalls), Second on the stage, Jaan Kirsipuu (Norway Giant-Veolia), Winner of Stage 6, Paul Healion (Ireland National Team), First County Rider, Sam Bennett (Tipperary Dan Morrissey) and First Mayo Rider, Chris Coyle (Mayo Castlebar WesternEdge). ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| Spot the stage winner: Paul Healion (Ireland National Team) looks on as the last group of the day arrive with the Broom Wagon in hot pursuit. ©: 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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