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Last Updated: 2 Apr 2018 - 8:45:17 PM |
The final stage produced an exciting finish in Skerries with David O'Loughlin winning the stage and Stephen Gallagher taking the overall, Stephen McMahon was at the finish to capture the action.
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| The final stage of the 2008 FBD Insurance Rás brought the riders from Newbridge in County Kildare to Skerries in north County Dublin. In spite of a strength-sapping headwind forecast for the stage, a group of four riders went clear after less than half an hour of racing. The quartet consisted of David O’Loughlin and Cameron Jennings (Ireland Pezula Racing Team), Blazej Janiaczyk (Poland National Team) and Evan Oliphant (Britain Team Plowman Craven Team). ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| A brisk but steady tempo was maintained by the main group on the undulating course. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| David O’Loughlin (Ireland Pezula Racing Team) led the race onto the finishing circuit in Skerries with Evan Oliphant (Britain Team Plowman Craven) for company. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| Cameron Jennings (Ireland Pezula Racing Team) tries to strike a balance between policing Blazej Janiaczyk (Poland National Team) and maintaining an advantage over a fast finishing peleton. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| The peleton is lead onto the circuit by the Norwegian Sparbanken Vest squad who have a formidable sprinter in Morten Hegreberg and may be keen to try for a stage win. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| Race leader Stephen Gallagher (Ireland – An Post – Sean Kelly Team) is safely tucked in behind Morten Hegreberg (Norway Sparbanken Vest) as the peleton go onto the final lap. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| The leading duo worked steadily all the way to the finishing straight and the crowd were treated to a sprint finale. Evan Oliphant (Britain Team Plowman Craven) breaks to the right as the sprint opens in earnest with David O’Loughlin (Ireland Pezula Racing Team) holding his line and giving his all. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| The Irish Road Race Champion’s strength, determination and grit brought him the ultimate reward as he outsprinted Evan Oliphant (Britain Team Plowman Craven) to take a thoroughly well deserved victory on the final stage of the 2008 Rás. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| Ciaran Power (Ireland Pezula Racing Team) pips Dean Downing (Britain – Stena – Rapha – Condor – Recycling.co.uk) to take fifth place on the final stage and lead home the main field. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| Winner of the 2008 FBD Insurance Rás: Stephen Gallagher (Ireland – An Post – Sean Kelly Team). ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| Stephen Gallagher (Ireland – An Post – Sean Kelly Team) is congratulated by his father Noel, a former Rás rider and probably the proudest man in Ireland. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| Benny de Schrooder (Ireland – An Post – Sean Kelly Team) congratulates his teammate Stephen Gallagher on his victory. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| Race Director presents a painting to Adrian Taheny, Director of Marketing & Sales with FBD Insurance. The rider featured in yellow is last year’s winner Tony Martin, who is currently riding the Giro d’Italia. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| Blazej Janiaczyk (Poland National Team) with his bouquet for Third Place on Stage 8. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| Winner of the Cuchulainn Crystal trophy for Best Placed County Rider on Stage 8, Paul Healion (Dublin McNally Swords). ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| Winners of the prize for County Team Overall, the Dublin Ushers Insulations Team. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| Winners of the prize for International Team Overall, the Ireland - An Post - M. Donnelly - Grant Thornton - Sean Kelly Team. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| Winner of the prize for Best Placed County Rider Overall, Stephen O’Sullivan (Meath MyHome.ie/BDBC) receives his trophy from Philip Cassidy. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| Dale Appleby (Britain – Stena – Rapha – Condor – Recycling.co.uk) took the Best Placed U-23 Rider Overall award. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| Kit Gilham (Britain Kinesis) receives the Brendan Carroll cup for his victory in the overall King of the Mountains category. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| Winner of the overall Points classification, Dean Downing (Britain – Stena – Rapha – Condor – Recycling.co.uk). ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| Third Place Overall went to Rob Partridge (Britain – Stena – Rapha – Condor – Recycling.co.uk). ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| Roger Aiken (Team Ireland) rode consistently over the eight stage to take Second Place Overall on the 2008 Rás. ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| Worth waiting for: Winner of the 2008 FBD Insurance Rás, Stephen Gallagher (Ireland - An Post - M. Donnelly - Grant Thornton - Sean Kelly Team). ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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| The Men of the Rás for 2008: Best Placed U-23 Rider, Dale Appleby (Britain – Stena – Rapha – Condor – Recycling.co.uk), Third Placed Rider, Rob Partridge (Britain – Stena – Rapha – Condor – Recycling.co.uk), King of the Mountains, Kit Gilham (Britain Kinesis), Points Winner, Dean Downing (Britain – Stena – Rapha – Condor – Recycling.co.uk), Race Winner, Stephen Gallagher (Ireland - An Post - M. Donnelly - Grant Thornton - Sean Kelly Team), Second Placed Rider, Roger Aiken (Team Ireland), and Best Placed County Rider, Stephen O’Sullivan (Meath MyHome.ie/BDBC). ©: Stephen McMahon. |
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