No change to Junior standings

By Jim McArdle

There were no changes to the top overall positions after stage three of the Junior Tour yesterday to Kilkenny, so Alain van Katwijk of Holland still leads going into this morning's time trial.

At the end of yesterday's 47 miles from Waterford, another young Dutchman, Ruud Verspaan douk, took the stage from Jens van Laer of Belgium. Stephen Gallagher (UCF) was third, followed by Ireland team-mates David McQuaid and Mark Scanlon.

Overall, van Katwijk retained his 25-second lead over Ian Childes (Cleveland Wheelers), with Derek Finnegan (Telecom) and David Kenneally (Cork) third and fourth on the same time.

Verspaandouk and van Laer improved from seventh and ninth to fifth and sixth at 37 and 39 seconds respectively, with Scanlon and McQuaid eighth and ninth in a group at 42 seconds.

Dermot Nally, back from Valencia to ride with the Emerald team, was in familiar territory at Carrick-on-Suir, as he won the Irish junior championship there at the end of June. But he had an eventful stage as he punctured near Clonmel and then fell and damaged his frame.

However, Nally still got into what looked a promising breakaway group that included van Katwijk, but they were caught with three miles to go. Approaching the finish, Verspaandouk sprinted ahead to take the stage.

The 81 riders left in the race have a time trial this morning (9.0) over 4.5 miles, which should produce some changes overall. Then, in the afternoon (2.0) there is a 40mile stage to Thurles.