FDB Milk Ras (Ireland)
19/26-May-2002
| Stage 2 - May 20: Ballinamore - Nenagh, 163 km <Main Page> <Previous Stage> <Next Stage> Tanner gets the sprint; Newton holds on Previously, Cassidy had gone clear clear with Tanner's team-mate Kevin Dawson with 25 of today's 102 wind-lashed miles remaining, but despite opening up a lead of over one and a half minutes on a chasing bunch behind, they eventually succumbed to the strong headwind and a determined drive by Tanner and Ben Brooks (NW England Cycle Centre RT) to get back on terms. Caught with just four miles remaining on the stage, 40 year old Cassidy – who last won a stage back in 1987 – kicked hard in the finishing sprint but was no match for Tanner. Chris Newton (Great Britain) benefited from the high-power finish of the combined GB and Team Ireland Stena Line squads to retain his race lead, finishing just 13 seconds behind Tanner today. This second stage from Ballinamore to Nenagh was a classic FBD Milk Ras day. Gale force winds, spitting skies and a hard, hard slog from gun to flag clearly suited Cassidy well, but also appealed to those who were willing (and strong enough) to have a go. The first serious break went after fifteen miles when four riders – Tim Barry (Team Ireland Stena Line), Dariusz Rudnicki (Poland Team Legia) and France VC La Pomme duo Denis Lynch and Stephan Mifsud built a solid lead. These were eventually joined by a dozen others, Tanner included, but despite the reinforcements the field was all together again by the 39 mile mark. The ceasefire lasted all of one mile before chaos resumed once more. Previous winner Julian Winn (Wales) and Tanner's team-mate Mark Lovatt went clear and eventually sparked off a massive free-for-all, with riders trying repeatedly to steal a march on their rivals and gain time. Team Ireland Stena Line's Ciaran Power was one of the main aggressors, trying to overcome the 27 seconds separating him and race leader Chris Newton, while David O'Loughlin (Mayo Wheelers), Ray Clarke (Meath Lee Strand Cycleways) and Paddy Moriarty (Dublin Skip Hire) also tried their luck. But Newton and his GB squad were simply too strong, sooner or later getting onto terms with all the moves. The Poland Team Legia rider Herbert Nowak then took off and led the race for ten miles, holding off the chase of Martin O'Loughlin (Tipperary Dan Morrissey) and Meath Avonmore's Denis Easton but eventually yeilding to the pitiless headwind. Cassidy, Kevin Dawson (Lancashire Compensation Group) and VC La Pomme rider Frederick Pedersoli then seized their opportunity, opening a considerable lead over a group of favourites who were concentrating more on negating each other's attacks. Pedersoli faded at the 88 mile mark, fourteen from home, as Cassidy and Dawson increased their advantage to 1 minute 40 seconds over a South Africa HSBC-led chasing group. They had perfect incentive to work together; Cassidy was hunting for a stage win and Dawson was aiming to snatch yellow from Newton, now almost three minutes back, and fully committed, they raced towards Nenagh to what seemed like a happy ending. However, a late charge from Tanner and Ben Brooks (New England Cycle Centre RT) saw their lead come tumbling down and the pursuing pair joined the leaders with just four miles remaining. Cassidy's Irish supporters had their fingers crossed that the double FBD Milk Ras victor (1983 and 1999) would somehow sprout the fast-twitch fibres needed to out-kick Tanner, but despite a determined finishing burst he was beaten to the line. Brooks and an exhausted Dawson were next home, while Newton benefited from a late charge to bounce back to finish just thirteen seconds behind. Relaxed and smiling in a new yellow jersey, Newton was relaxed after the stage. "I didn't panic today. I said I wasn't going to try to defend the lead as I am more interested in stage wins, but things worked out pretty well in the end. The headwind meant that breaks weren't going to get too far out in front, so when the speed went down later on we were able to close things back up." "Ciaran Power and several other riders tried hard to get clear during the stage but each time I got up to them, they eased back. Ciaran looked strong but wouldn't really commit himself." "It was good to hang on to the jersey in the end. The crowds are really appreciative here and there is a great atmosphere. Over in France people are much calmer after races, just directing you to go up onto the podium, but here everybody is genuinely pleased and happy for you when you are doing well. It doesn't matter whether you are Irish, English or from somewhere else - the crowd and the race organisation are all very warm." As for Cassidy, he promised to try again. "I have just finished a course of antibiotics today, as I had a bad chest infection for the past three weeks. I didn't expect to feel this good so soon. But the legs were very strong today. I thought the stage was definitely possible as I think I would have beaten Dawson at the finish if we had stayed away. But when Tanner caught us with four miles to go, that changed everything. He is very fast." "I will keep trying – I think a stage is definitely in reach, if I have the necessary luck. This is almost certainly my last FBD Milk Ras so I would really like to get a stage before the end of the race." 1 John Tanner (GBr) Lancaster Compensation Group 4.45.14 General classification after stage 2 |