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Last Updated: 2 Apr 2018 - 8:45:17 PM |
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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