|
|
|
Last Updated: 6 Apr 2018 - 3:10:13 PM |
 |
| Taoiseach, Enda Kenny with the Stena Ireland team before the stage of stage 5 - Picture by Stephen McMahon |
The penultimate stage of the International Junior Tour yesterday in more than one way consolidated the overall lead of Colin Joyce of Hot Tubes as to the one, they all have to beat on the top of Windy Gap after 106.9kms today..
In many ways yesterday belonged to a first year junior Jack Sadler of Team Mountivaton. In days gone by, your estimation was that of a cavalry charge. Here you had fifty-five juniors going at full throttle over the entire width of the road and out of the maze of colour, Sadler gets his nose in front on the line. In close attendance was Ryan Mullen and Cormac Clarke of Stena Line Ireland in second and third place thanks to the efforts of their team colleague Dylan Foley.
It was plain to observe that the Hot Tubes crew who landed the overall prize back in 2011 that they were hell bent in keeping the race in the comfort zone as far as they were concerned yesterday.
A slight bit of uneasiness was felt when Joyce's team colleague Cameron McCormack punctured after four kilometers. That was short lived when he made the junction and normal service was resumed.
Further up the road more anxiety for team managers Colm Rigley and John Brennan and their charges, Ciaran Campbell and Niall Kilkenny crashing, but similar to McCormack they were back and running. The crash also concerned a number of riders who lost contact, but this was short lived and the group made there way back.
Whilst this was unfolding David Fitzsimons who had his first ever win in an open race in the Roundwood Grand Prix a month ago and representing Ultimate Clothing Leinster was setting the pace up front. He made the best of his escape to put is name on the leaderboard in the KOH title. David banked first place at 'Radharc na Sleibhte and the sign denoting Maam Trasna.
Once the KOH points had been banked by Fitzsimons, Cian Dwyer of Team Munster and Johannes Nicolas Thiaart of Mr. Price South Africa the speed suddenly shot up on the sharp descent and by Finney it was a snake like bunch.
Still the action was tense, thus nullifying any attempted breaks. By the time the convoy of cyclists and cars had negotiated Clonbur, Ballinrobe, Party (home to the one and only Brendan Quigley who introduced the cyclists to our Taoiseach Enda Kenny in Lough Lannagh Holiday Village), the cavalcade was all together.
In the closing kilometers it was all to play for, but Hot Tubes were satisfied that no significant threats to their positions was going to knock them off the perch.
Now, it is obvious that the showdown will be triggered as to the final outcome over 100kms plus.
Jack Sadler when I spoke to him last evening was immensely proud of his win. “It was a great feeling to get the win. As you know I am part of the Irish Development Squad and I am happy for the support that Cycling Ireland and Frank O'Leary are affording me. As a first year junior I can have another crack at this great event. Of course my dad (Gary) raced here in the days of Sean Kelly and Stephen Roche. He also tells me he nearly won a stage in the Nissan Classic, but I'll have to check that won out,” said Jack.
As for the race leader when I caught up with him after the presentation, “Satisfied with the days performance. The team rode exceptionally well. We covered all the moves. Now for tomorrow. We'll let the legs do the talking,” said Colin Joyce as he goes in search of that elusive prize which will guarantee his place in the order of merit in the International Junior Tour of Ireland.
Junior Tour of Ireland - Stage 5
Castlebar - Clonbur - Castlebar (88kms)
1 Jack Sadler (Mountivation Development Squad), 2hrs.22mins.56seconds;
2 Ryan. Mullen (Stena Line Ireland), same time;
3 Cormac Clarke (Stena Line Ireland), st;
4 James King (Colomna), st;
5 Jacob Ragan (Maxgear Champion Systems), st;
6 Ansel Dickey (K.M.S. Cycling Academy), st.
Overall after five stages
1 Colin Joyce (Hot Tubes), 11.05.46;
2 White Curtis (Hot Tubes B), @33;
3 Cormac Clarke, @49;
4 Marcus Smith (Team Specialized), @58;
5 Stephen Bassett (Team Specialized), @1.04;
6 Jacob Ragan (Maxgear Champion Systems), @1.19.
Team: Stena Line Ireland.
Points: Ryan Mullen
Mountains: Hugh Carthy
First Year Junior: White Curtis.
|
|
|
|
