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Last Updated: 2 Apr 2018 - 8:45:17 PM |
Stage 1 of this years Rás had an exciting bunch finish into Ballinamore, Stephen McMahon was there to capture the action...
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| The wait was well worth it as the crowd were treated to the spectacle of a furious bunch sprint. ©: Stephen McMahon |
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| Ken Hanson (Isle of Man – Microgaming) wins by half a wheel from Patrick Kos of the Dutch National Team with Benny de Schrooder (Ireland – An Post – Sean Kelly Team) completing the podium. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| The American rider was very happy with the victory as were the crowd in Ballinamore when they discovered that Hanson’s Irish grandmother was a native of County Leitrim. It was as good as a home win! ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| The podium after Day 1 of the 2008 FBD Insurance Rás: (L-R) Third on the stage, Benny de Schrooder (An Post – Sean Kelly Team), King of the Mountains, Neil Delahaye (Dublin IRC Usher Insulation), Second on the stage, Patrick Kos (Netherlands National Team), Stage winner and Race Leader, Ken Hanson (Isle of Man – Microgaming), Best County Rider, Scott McDonald (Meath – Cycleways) and wearing the white jersey of Best Young Rider, Sondre Sortveit (Norway – Sparebanken Vest). ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| The stage finish and presentations were a colorful affair. Here, pupils of the local Irish dancing school applaud the leading riders. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| With seven more stages, race leader Ken Hanson (Isle of Man – Microgaming – Dolan – High 5) could be forgiven for wondering what lies ahead as the race heads into the wilds of the west country. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
Some more pictures of Stage 1, taken by Peter Purfield at the King of the Hills on Slieve an gCallaigh, outside Oldcastle, Co. Meath.
Result of KOH Prime:
King of the Hills category 3/Hot spot sprint,
Slieve an gCallaigh (29.3 kilometres):
1, Jaroslaw Dabrowski (Poland) 5 points/3 seconds
2, Kieran Page (Ireland Pezula) 4 points/2 seconds
3, Christer Rake (Norway Sparebanken Vest) 3 points/1 second
4, Kristian House (Britain Team Stena Rapha Condor Recycling.co.uk) 2 points
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