The penultimate day of the Martin Donnelly junior Tour turned out to be a cracker with the remaining 66 competitors prepared to beaver away to keep the pace up.
As the race left Castlebar on the main Dublin Road the action was at fever pitch with groups making the pace only to be snuffed out as quick as day follows night.
Race leader Matt Bailey climbing out of Pontoon during stage 5
As the riders swung left at the direction for Swinford, the first significant move of the day of the 106km stage developed with Kristof van Dessel (unattached), Chris Nicholson (Isle of Man) and Robin Wennekes (VW Eemland) taking an advantage of 30 plus seconds.
Perry Bowater (BCF West Midlands) on the way to the finish on Windy Gap climb
Whilst the trio were revving up the gears, Simon Ryan of Dan Morrissey/Carrick Wheelers CC made contact with mother earth, but within a couple of kilometers he was back in the bunch, but it was noticeable that he had traces of blood all over his arms.
At the Pontoon Bridge Hotel, the weather deteriorated with the rain dancing on the road, but that did not deter the competitors from pushing ahead.
Peter Bowater from the BCF West Midlands decided that a solo effort in the conditions may be the best option as he pushed ahead alone just before the climb up the 'Windy Gap' 60 odd kilometers into the stage. The BCF junior went over the climb first which was a bonus for race leader Matt Bailey. But all of a sudden, Bowater moved into the overall lead on the road with 38kms of racing left on the clock.
Suddenly, it was the opposition that cranked up the gears in search of the leader on the road all 19 of them. But it was an effort too late, for the chase group which included all the jerseys but not for Bailey the West Bromich Albion fan who has only 90kms left between himself and his name on that illustrious trophy that includes names like Aidan Duff, Mark Scanlon, Kai Reus, Ian Stannard and Nicholas Roche who finished second on yesterday's Tour de France stage.
Perry Bowater timed his finish to perfection to win stage five of the Martin Donnelly Junior Tour on the outskirts of the Castlebar at the 'Windy gap' yesterday-while his team mate from the BCF West Midlands, Matt Bailey retained his yellow jersey.
The Englishman produced the winning move on the first ascent of the 'Windy Gap' to claim victory ahead of a chasing pack which included all the Jerseys on classification at the end of a tough 106kms.
Perry Bowater (BCF West Midlands) winning the 5th stage of the M Donnelly Junior Tour on the top of the Windy Gap climb today
The big winner apart from Bowater on the penultimate day of the JT was Bailey who now looks assured of overall victory on todays final stage.
Charles Prendergast of the Stena Ireland and race leader on day three remains in third place in the overall standings. Prendergast made a valiant effort towards the end of the stage but his companions in the chasing pack were in no mood to allow him any advantage. The Mayo man stays in third place 49 seconds adrift of Bailey with the South African Louis Meinjtes in second place at 7 seconds.
The top 3 on the stage with Gerard Campbell representing the stage sponsors Cycling Leinster
Lawrence Brooking (North of England) holds the White Jersey for the 1st year junior
Louis Meintjes (South Africa) goes into the Points leaders Green jersey
After a tremendous ride Perry Bowater (BCF West Midlands) takes the Mountains jersey
Matt Bailey (BCF West Midlands) survives the penultimate day with his Yellow jersey in tack
Martin Donnelly Junior Tour, stage 5 Castlebar/106kms.
Details;
1 P. Bowater (BCF West Midlands), 2hrs.47mins.50secs;
2 K. Boundida (WV Eemland), @25secs;
3 D. Schils (Lotto Interbike Olympia), @38secs;
4 C. Prendergast (Stena Ireland), @41secs;
5 M. Bailey (BCF West Midlands), @42secs;
6 L. Meintjes (South Africa), same time;
7 J. Kelly (Isle of Man), @58secs;
8 A. van Wachtendonk), @1.02.
Overall after 5 stages:
1 Bailey, 11,50.57;
2 Meintjes, @7 secs;
3 Prendergast, @49secs;
4 Bowater, @1.05;
5 L. Brooking (North of England), 1.14;
6 Schils, @1.14'
7 R. de greef (Tempo BMV), @2.18;
8 JC Nell (South Africa), @2.38.
Points-Bailey.
Mountains-Bowater.
1st year junior-meinjtes.
