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Last Updated: 2 Apr 2018 - 8:45:17 PM |
Stage 5 of the 2008 FBD Insurance Rás travelled south from Tralee in County Kerry to Skibbereen in County Cork, Stephen McMahon was at the finish to capture the action.
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| Stage 5 of the 2008 FBD Insurance Rás travelled south from Tralee in County Kerry to Skibbereen in County Cork. With six categorized climbs en route and thunderstorms forecast, there was an air of trepidation as the race headed into the wilds of the southwest. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| A prototype titanium model of team car was unveiled before the start. It bore a strong resemblance to a Model T Ford. Henry Ford’s family lived in Ballinascarthy, County Cork before emigrating to America. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| To host a Rás stage finish is quite an event in for a town in rural Ireland and a big turn of fans of all ages is guaranteed. This gentleman picked an excellent vantage point just behind the finish line. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| David O’Loughlin (Ireland Pezula Racing Team) leads Simon Richardson (Britain Plowman Craven), Patrick Kos (Netherlands National Team) and Kit Gilham (Britain Kinesis) in the decisive break of the day. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| The main field has fragmented and a select group begin to organize the pursuit of the breakaway. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| Simon Richardson (Britain Plowman Craven) took the time to celebrate as he approached the line, much to the delight of the crowd in Skibbereen. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| Simon Richardson (Britain Plowman Craven) takes victory on Stage 5 of the 2008 FBD Insurance Rás. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| The luck of the Irish was not in today. Irish Road Race Champion David O’Loughlin (Ireland Pezula Racing Team) suffered an exceptionally cruel fate when he punctured with 3 kilometres to go and lost contact with Simon Richardson (Britain Plowman Craven). ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| O’Loughlin’s disappointment was palpable as he crossed the finishing line. The crowd had hope for an Irish victor on the stage but unfortunately it was not to be. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| Mateusz Komar (Poland National Team) slipped past Ciaran Power (Ireland Pezula Racing Team) to take third place on the stage and lead home a group of eighty riders. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| Paidi O’Brien (Ireland – An Post – Sean Kelly Team) takes a moment to reflect on the day’s racing. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| The stage winner’s mount: Simon Richardson’s Pinnacle bicycle. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| Denis Lynch (Cork Kanturk Town) received a special prize for being the First Cork Rider to cross the finish line in Skibbereen. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| The Cuchullainn Crystal award for Best Placed County Rider on Stage 5 went to Ciaran Cassidy (Meath Cycleways@53degreesnorth). ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| Mateusz Komar (Poland National Team), third placed rider on Stage 5. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| David O’Loughlin (Ireland Pezula Racing Team), second placed rider and the unluckiest man in Ireland on Stage 5. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| Simon Richardson (Britain Plowman Craven) in his blue jersey of Stage Winner. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| Dale Appleby (Britain – Stena – Rapha – Condor – Recycling.co.uk) retained his lead in the Best Placed U-23 rider category. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| After taking maximum points on four out of the six climbs, Kit Gilham (Britain Kinesis) took over the lead in the King of the Mountains competition and will no doubt be keen to defend his position. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| Dean Downing (Britain – Stena – Rapha – Condor – Recycling.co.uk) retained his lead in the Points competition but Mateusz Komar (Poland National Team) is only four points behind and waiting in the shadows. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| David McCann (Team Ireland) looks resplendent in his Race Leader’s yellow jersey. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| The men of the Rás after Stage 5: Points Leader, Dean Downing (Britain – Stena – Rapha – Condor – Recycling.co.uk), Best Placed U-23 rider, Dale Appleby (Britain – Stena – Rapha – Condor – Recycling.co.uk), Race Leader, David O’Loughlin (Team Ireland), Winner of Stage 5, Simon Richardson (Britain Plowman Craven), Third Place on the stage, Mateusz Komar (Poland National Team), Best Placed County Rider on the stage, Ciaran Cassidy (Meath Cycleways@53degreesnorth), Leader of the King of the Mountains competition, Kit Gilham (Britain Kinesis), First Cork Rider on the stage, Denis Lynch (Cork Kanturk Town), and Second Place on the stage, David O’Loughlin (Ireland Pezula Racing Team). ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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