McLaughlin In Yellow Again as Ward Takes Stage 3
Stage three of Rás Dhun na nGall took to the roads from Ardara to Glenties to Portnoo this afternoon to cover three laps of an 18 mile circuit. While things may have been close in GC going into the stage there were a lot of time bonuses up for grabs on this stage the first two passes of the finish line had points 3, 2, 1 for the first three while on the final pass these points were doubled. As a result attacks began almost from the off and leaving some riders out the back in the first few miles.
A group of seven riders gradually began to make a dent and pull away from the main peloton. This group included Calvin Moore (Caldwell Cycles), Caolem McCarter (Belgian Project Cycling Ulster), Conor Gallagher (Castlebar CC), Eoghan McLaughlin (NRPT), Mark McKinley (Newry Wheelers), Adam Ward (AAA) and Dillon Corkery (NRPT). Despite hard chasing by the peloton the group continued to increase their slender lead up to 46 seconds at one stage. This made McLaughlin effectively the Yellow jersey on the road.
Halvey in Yellow made a brave attempt to get across and hung out in front of the bunch with a slim 5 second lead for some time before giving up the chase.
However in the closing miles some of the lead group were reeled back in and a few others joined the break but the lead had gone down to less that 20 seconds. It was enough though for Ward to put the hammer down and win the stage in fine style.
He was followed in by Dillon Corkery (NRPT) and Liam Hanley of Cycling Leinster. Bobby Kane of Bann Wheelers put in a brave effort in the closing miles to take a fine fourth followed by Ruan McArdle and Alexis Roche of NRPT. Robbie Doherty of Belgian Project Cycling Ulster was eighth with Aaron McBride (Donegal Bay) and Mile Brown of Nenagh completing the top ten.
Going into tomorow's final stage which finishes on the brutal climb of Glengesh McLaughlin will be starting in Yellow. He will have a fight on his hands to keep it to the line as there are only 36 seconds separating the top ten riders on GC. The stage starts at 12 noon tomorrow and will cover 61 miles ending on Glengesh.
Report and Pics Marian Lamb UCN : marianlamb@ulstercycling news.com
To see a video of the rollout from Ardara today taken by Reece Doherty click HERE
To Download the Full GC Click HERE
Top Ten Stage 3
- Ward,Adam AAA Cycling 2h17'07"
- Corkery,Dillon NRPT 2h17'10" @03"
- Hanley,Liam Cycling Leinster 2h17'13" @06"
- Kane,Bobby Bann Wheelers CC 2h17'15" @08"
- Gallagher,Conor Castlebar CC 2h17'15" @ s/t
- McArdle Ruane,Eoghan NRPT 2h17'26" @19"
- Roche,Alexis NRPT 2h17'26" @ s/t
- Doherty,Robbie Belgium Project Devl 2h17'26" @ s/t
- McBride,Aaron Donegal Bay CC 2h17'26" @ s/t
- Browne,Mike Nenagh CC 2h17'26" @ s/t
Top Ten GC Stage 3
- McLaughlin,Eoghan NRPT 3h37'37"
- Halvey,Conor NRPT 3h37'39" @02"
- Roche,Alexis NRPT 3h37'41" @04"
- Downey,Ethan Island Wheelers 3h37'41" = s/t
- Murnane,Sean Cycling Leinster 3h37'55" @18
- Corkery,Dillon NRPT 3h37'57" @20"
- Hanley,Liam Cycling Leinster 3h38'01" @24"
- McGlynn,Michael Belgium Project 3h38'05" @28"
- Moore,Calvin Caldwell Cycles 3h38'09" @32"
- Gallagher,Conor Castlebar CC 3h38'11" @34"
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