CYCLING:Yesterday's opening stage of the Tour of Ireland proved to be far more decisive than expected, with 10 riders taking over 13 minutes out of the main bunch and the Irish contingent losing out on high overall finishes.
Belgian rider Stijn Vandenbergh (Unibet.com) was first to the line in Cork, breaking clear just after the second gruelling ascent of St Patrick's Hill and soloing the remaining four kilometres to win.
He raced home 14 seconds clear of American rider Aaron Olson (T-Mobile), and a further second up on Wesley Sulzberger (SouthAustralia.com AIS) and six others.
Glenn Bak was 10th over the line. Although he is Danish, he is riding for the Irish Murphy and Gunn/Newlyn Group/M Donnelly Sean Kelly team.
The Irish cyclists, and most of the race favourites, missed the break and the 13 minutes gained means the 10 leaders will almost certainly battle it out for the final yellow jersey.
Nicolas Roche (Ireland national team) was suffering with a saddle sore and was forced to pull out of the race due to the wound.
The Tour of Ireland continues today, starting in Clonakilty. The 166 kilometre race will finish in Killarney.
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