Cycling Rás: Twelve months ago Chris Newton won the final stage of the FBD Milk Rás in the the Phoenix Park. Yesterday he was once again on the podium to receive trophies and plaudits at the end of the stage. However, this time his success was more significant as he became only the second English rider to win the event.
The world track points champion had seized the yellow jersey on Thursday's mountain stage, but it was his assertive performances over the weekend which cemented his victory. Three riders were within 30 seconds of his yellow jersey; Swede Tobias Lergard was five seconds behind, with Dane Ari Hojgaard and Lancaster's Mark Lovatt 12 and 34 seconds back, respectively.
The narrow deficits ensured a nervous time for Newton, but good performances by himself and his well-drilled Britain team ensured they controlled all attacks by his rivals.
Last year's winner, Ciarán Power, had the consolation of knowing he was one of the strongest in the race. The stage-three winner repeated that success on Saturday, going clear in a breakaway group at the start of the 112-mile stage from Donegal to Oldcastle, and crossed the line 16 seconds clear for his third victory as a professional cyclist.
Determined to prove their strength after Thursday's disappointment, the Irish team aimed for victory in the final stage. Power was the rider on whom hopes were pinned; he finished second there last year, and was in great sprinting form.
Newton's Britain team paved the way for a bunch finish by controlling the race, hauling back a number of breakaway attempts, including a last-gasp effort by Lergard to steal back the five seconds separating him from yellow.
But in the finishing straight American Sportsbook.com rider Adam Hodges Myerson blasted up to the line to take his team's first win in the race.
Second place went to former Tour of Spain points winner Malcolm Elliott, who had to use his shoulder to prevent being pushed towards the barriers. Elliott was quick enough to recover to hold off Power for second.
"I had a hard time on some of the stages this week, with the rain and wind, but was really aiming to do well today," said Hodges Myerson. "The race was very hard; I am 10 pounds lighter and 100 times fitter after this week of racing, but it should be good preparation for the US professional championships next week."
Equally delighted was Newton, joining his team-mate Paul Manning as the only Englishmen to have won the race.
"I was a bit nervous as I had such a slender lead, but once I got through yesterday I knew the only way I could lose it was through a puncture or a crash," he said. "My team-mates controlled things today and though Lergard got clear at one point, we were in control and brought him back without too much difficulty."
Eugene Moriarty of the Meath Lee Strand Cycleways Team was fifth yesterday, taking the Cuchulann Crystal county rider award for a sixth consecutive day. Best of the Irish in the overall standings was Tommy Evans, who finished five minutes and five seconds behind Newton in eighth. Irish-based Paddy Moriarty had a great ride to take 10th overall, and was best of the county riders.
In the other classifications, Jonas Holmkvist of the Bianchi Scandinavia team carried off the points jersey while Kazakh Maxim Iglinskiv was King of the Mountains. Holmkvist's team took best International team, while the Meath Lee Strand Cycleways squad were first Irish-based team.
Credit too to the county riders, Martin Caddow, Cathal Keane and Seán Furley, who dug deep to survive.
