An Post Rás: Dutch rider takes yellow jersey at Multyfarnham

An Post Rás: Dutch rider takes yellow jersey at Multyfarnham

 

The first stage of the An Post Rás passed through north Westmeath today, with Dutch cyclist Taco van der Hoorn soloing to victory by the stage's end in Multyfarnham.

 

Dylan Kennett (New Zealand National Team) and Rasmus Mygind (Denmark Riwal Platform) finished closely behind to take second and third. Mullingar man Damien Shaw (An Post Chain Reaction), meanwhile, placed 53rd, and all the local interest will focus on him when the second stage begins in Mullingar.

 

The opening stage of the eight day UCI ranked race – which also passed through Castlepollard and Crookedwood – was littered with superb performances from the Irish contingent involved. 

 

Jack Wilson (An Post Chain Reaction) and Eddie Dunbar (Ireland National Team) both claimed a top ten finish, while Eoin Morton (Dublin UCD Fitz Cycles) took the King of Mountains (KOM) jersey. Two time winner of the race, Ciaran Power (Waterford Comeragh), rolled back the years with a terrific display to take the county rider stage prize.

 

This year’s edition of the race rolled out from the historic surroundings of Dublin Castle. 180 riders made the start list with the action officially getting underway in Clonee, Meath following a neutralised section of 16 kilometres which passed by Christchurch and through the Phoenix Park.

 

Irish duo Morton and Sean Lacey (Cork Aquablue) were first out the gates, going clear by nine seconds but an eager bunch quickly reeled them in. The peloton then established a lightning fast pace, covering 50 kilometres in the first hour of racing.

 

The break of the day came on the 75 kilometre mark; Louth native Bryan McCrystal (Louth Asea Wheelworx) attacked out front with Morton, before being joined by George Fowler (Britain NFTO Pro Cycling).  The trio established a 20 second lead over the bunch but Lacey and Ronan McLaughlin (Ireland National Team) managed to bridge the gap, making it five out front.

 

The leading group built up a lead of one minute but behind them Patrick Gamper (Austria Tirol Cycling Team) and Adam Armstrong (Louth Asea Wheelworx) worked well together to join the quintet with only 35 kilometres to go. The break, however, couldn’t stay the distance and as they approached Crookedwood they were swallowed up, leaving it all to play for.

 

Alexis Dulin (France AVC Aix en Provence) and James Gullen (Britain Pedal Heaven) briefly went clear on the finishing loop of Multyfarnham before being reeled in at the front by a group of 13 riders including Van der Hoorn. The Dutchman attacked with two kilometres to go, managing to stay away and celebrate a superb victory in front of a rapturous local crowd.

 

Following today’s action, Van der Hoorn leads the general classification with Mygind wearing the green points jersey. Kennett’s second place finish was rewarded by winning the Under 23 classification while Morton and Power hold the KOM and County rider jerseys respectively.

 

For the first time in 30 years, tomorrow morning,  Monday May 23, will see a stage of the annual Rás cycle race leave from Mullingar.

 

The cyclists are to set off from outside the post office at 11am tomorrow morning. They will head towards the Market Square and down Mount Street, and then face into a 183.7km cycle, all the way to Charleville in Co Cork. It is the longest of the eight stages in this year’s Rás.

 

The riders will be signing on at the army barracks from 9.30 to 10.30, and assembling there at 10.45 am to make their way to Dominick Street for their 11am departure.

 

The Rás is a UCI 2.1 event, which means points earned in it carry towards qualification for the world championships.

 

The last Rás stage start from Mullingar was in 1986.