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Last Updated: 2 Apr 2018 - 8:45:17 PM |
It was a case of tulips from Amsterdam yesterday when Dutch 22-year Robert Jan Mol from that city took the honours on day one of the Kerry Group Ras Mumhan which started and finished in Killorglin after 96 kilometers of a very tactical course which took in some of the most amazing scenery in South Kerry. In the uphill finish in the town most associated in name with the Puck Fair held every August, Mol had that extra fire power in the sprint to take out Sean Lacey and Andy Roche.
Originally a group of twelve literally sneaked off the head of the race after approximately eight kilometers.
The most amazing aspect of this breakaway was that it had plenty of firepower, but there was also a number of high ranking candidates left in the rear of the race who at the end of the day over 97kms would see their hopes and aspirations go west.
More or less assuming that the leaders would perish for their daring break in the tough conditions which were the order of the day.
Obviously, the balance within the lead pack and their assumption that it was not a suicidal move gave then belief.
The work rate and their ability to co-ordinate the pace at the head of the race was the momentum that kept the break alive.
In the early stages the break kept a marginal lead of approximately 40 seconds, but that all changed as the race deviated left going through Farranfore and by Firies village, 38kms into the stage the advantage had gone up to two minutes. Alarm bells then started to ring in earnest in the main pack and without an organised chase, they simply were cut adrift.
Whereas the leaders rolling through, the bunch was adopting stop go tactics which resulted in them dropping further off the pace.
Of the 133 starters yesterday, only eight participants can be counted on to be in with shout of overall victory. On paper the three leaders have sold team support which invariably will be the deciding factor to the final verdict in the Kerry Group Ras Mumhan which ends on Monday.
Mol will wear the yellow jersey on today's 140 kilometre stage, while Tralee man Lacey leads the King Of The Mountains classification
Pictures from the event courtesy of Pat Doherty
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| Robert Jan Mol winning stage 1 of the Kerry Group Ras Mumhan |
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| Sean Lacey |
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| The Podium after stage 1 - 2nd Sean Lacey (The Edge Sports Team), Race leader Robert Jan Mol (West Frisia Combilift) and 3rd Andrew Roche (Isle of Man) - Picture by Pat Doherty |
Results Stage 1
1 R. Jan Mol (West Frisia Combilift), 2h 13m 39s ;
2 S.Lacey (The Edge Sports Team), @2s;
3 A. Roche (Isle of Man), same time;
4 F. O Muire, (Usher Irish Road Club), st:
5 T. Barry (The Edge), st;
6 M. Reddin (South Dublin CC).
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IMAGES COPYRIGHT:
Any images included in this article remain the property of the photographer, by whom all rights are retained, 2010 . Use of images for electronic or print purposes is may be possible with the express, written permission of the photographer.
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