After the first two stages of the FBD Milk Ras Jon Clay of the British trade team, Linda McCartney, was the leader in Charleville last evening by two seconds from Brian Kenneally (Wicklow), with Dermot Finnegan (Meath) third at 15 seconds.
On Saturday Dutchman Pelle Kil won by two seconds from Colby Pearce (USA/Europe) at the end of the 94 miles from Dublin to Waterford with Finnegan third and Kenneally fourth - Clay finished 13th also on the same time. However, because of the bonus sprints along the way Ben Brooks of the McCartney team earned an allowance of 10 seconds and although he was only eighth on the stage he took over the first leader's yellow jersey by five seconds from Eugene Moriarty of Ireland with Stephen O'Sullivan (Wicklow) third another second behind.
On yesterday's 104 miles on to Charleville Clay led Kenneally in by two seconds with Finnegan third, 15 seconds adrift, and with Brooks back in the main group 17 minutes in arrears Clay took over. On Saturday Brooks won the first of the bonus sprints at Naas, then a breakaway group of 12 of the 141 starters went on and at Bagenalstown they were joined by another 11. At that point the main group were at a minute and 13 seconds, but the gap went out to 2:46 after another few miles.
Approaching New Ross, Kil and team-mate Harm Jansen forged ahead, but they were overhauled with eight miles to go and then Kil went on again with Kenneally and Dermot Finnegan. Kenneally made two good attempts to go on alone, but then inside the last mile Kil surged ahead as the group behind closed up.
Kil made it to the line by two seconds as Finnegan and Kenneally were passed coming to the finish by Pearce, but Brooks had earned enough to take the lead. as crashes with 14 miles to go. At first he was reported to be out of the race but He struggled on a spare bike and finished over 17 minutes down. The action was even more hectic yesterday with many groups gaining what seemed vital advantages. But it was not until 16 miles to go that the decisive break occurred.
On the climb up The Vee a group of 10 led the charge with Jeff Wright first at the summit and Fox second, but Kenneally made a great effort to link up with Clay in behind.
It has not been a good Ras so far for the Ireland team. Eugene Moriarty is best placed overall, sixth at 25 seconds, with Philip Cassidy at 1:53. David O'Loughlin went well on Saturday but was left trailing yesterday with Ray Clarke and Paddy Moriarty. Only Eugene Moriarty and Cassidy are in contention and although there is a long way to go Kenneally and Finnegan seem the main hopes of another Irish success.
Stage One (94 miles from Dublin to Waterford): 1, P Kil (Netherlands) 3:19:21; 2, C Pearce (USA/Europe) at 2 secs; 3, Dermot Finnegan (Meath); 4, B Kenneally (Wicklow); 5, J Griffiths (Wales); 6, M Lovatt (Cheshire); 7, S O'Sullivan (Wicklow); 8, B Brooks (Linda McCartney); 9, E Putsep (Estonia); 10, P Cassidy (Ireland) all same time.
Stage Two (104 miles from Waterford to Charleville): 1, J Clay (Linda McCartney) 4:02:44; 2, Kenneally at 2 secs; 3, Finnegan 15; 4, R Downing (Linda McCartney) 23; 5, J Wright (Cheshire); 6, Putsep; 7, Pearce; 8, R Reynolds-Jones (Linds McCartney) all same time; 9, E Moriarty (Ireland) 30; 10, R Hobby (Lincoln) 1:53. Overall: 1, Clay 7:22:07; 2, Kenneally at 2 secs; 3, Finnegan 15; 4, Pearce 21; 5, Putsep 22; 6, Moriarty 25; 7, Cassidy 1:53; 8, Downing 3:35; 9, Wright same time; 10, Reynolds-Jones 4:23. Points 1, Kenneally 26; 2, Finnegan 26; 3, Pearce 23. King of the mountains - 1, Wright 18 pts; 2, Finnegan 18; 3, Moriarty 17.
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