Stage 6 - May 24: Dungarvan - Arklow, 155 km     <Main Page>     <Previous Stage>     <Next Stage>

Power impresses, gears up for hardest stage

For the second day running, Team Ireland Stena Line cyclist Ciar‡n Power foiled a concerted effort by the Great Britain team to eat into his four minute race lead before tomorrow's crucial stage of the FBD Milk R‡s. Power finished a fine fifth on today's 97 mile race from Dungarvan to Arklow, run off at record speed in just over three hours and 2 minutes, and conceded a mere one second to chief rival Chris Newton in the finishing sprint.

The result is a big disappointment to the Great Britain rider, who was hoping to peg back Power's advantage before tomorrow's mountainous stage around the toughest peaks in Wicklow. The GB team's sole consolation is that last year's winner, Paul Manning, raced clear in the closing miles and scooped a fine solo victory on this sixth leg of the 2.5 event.

The win was just reward for the rider who has dedicated his strength this week to helping Newton in his bid to reclaim the yellow jersey. Indeed the other three members of the GB team gave their all today to further that aim, joining with Newton and Manning in launching a ferocious attack shortly after the start in Dungarvan.

Pushed along by a gale force tailwind, the break swiftly opened up a big lead over the main bunch. Power succeeded in joining the move but with just one team-mate present – Tim Barry – to Newton's four, there was a real danger that the race leader would be first isolated and then worked over down the road. Adding to the danger was the presence of many of the other challengers in the race.

The threat increased yet further when the furious pace caused Barry to slip back, leaving Power and the ever-consistent, ever-impressive Paddy Moriarty (Dublin Skip Hire) as the sole Irishmen up front. There was a real possibility that Newton and team-mate Steve Cummings (also high up on the general classification) would work over the race leader but this golden opportunity faded when Cummings, Tim Buckle and Bryan Steel overdid things and got into difficulties themselves before Waterford.

Cummings briefly rejoined but once out of Power's home city he was dropped once more, leading to a ferocious attack by the race leader which temporarily splintered the dozen remaining up front and, more importantly, sealed the Briton's fate. That left just Newton and Manning left of the GB quintet and a relieved Power began to contribute to the pacemaking.

The twelve riders read like a list of the strongmen of the race with three recent FBD Milk R‡s winners present (Power, Manning and Welshman Julian Winn) plus Newton, professionals Hubert Nowak (Poland Legia) and Ian McLeod (South Africa HSBC), Huw Pritchard (Wales), John Tanner and Mark Lovatt (Lancashire Compensation Group), Moriarty, Ari Hojgaard (Denmark Distrikt Jylland Fyn) and France VC La Pomme's Hichem Menad. Their collective effort, plus the effects of the strong wind, saw them cover a scorching 34.3 miles in the first hour, 64 by hour two and open up a 9 minute lead over the disorganised and weary main bunch.

Relaxed and looking more and more comfortable in yellow, Power had a go with three miles remaining but was marked by Manning, who refused to work. The Team Ireland Stena Line rider sat up but Manning jumped again, soloing clear and crossing the line 11 seconds ahead of Newton, who was in turn one second ahead of Lovatt, Nowak and Power.

In all they took just over three hours and two minutes to cover the 97 miles: an average speed of 31.7 mph, which the race organisers say was the fastest ever.

"I felt very good today and am happy with how things went", said Power after receiving a fresh yellow jersey. "I was a little worried early on when all five of the GB team were in the break but when they started slipping back I was more relaxed. Declan Byrne (Irish team manager) said that Cummings had cracked so I put in a 2 kilometre effort to make sure he didn't get back on, and then after that there was less danger."

"I had a go at the end but Manning went at the same time and got onto my wheel. He wasn't coming through and I saw the Danish rider coming up to us – he was very strong – so I eased back. Manning got away then and took the stage."

"I am looking forward to tomorrow's stage. I think I should do a good ride. I didn't feel like myself the other day when I lost a little bit of time to Newton (Wednesday) but now I feel a lot better and am pretty confident of my chances tomorrow. We will just take it as it comes and hopefully it will work out well."

Tomorrow's stage: Arklow-Baltinglas, 95 miles. Includes the first category climbs of the Devil's Glen, Luggala, Drumgoff and Wicklow Gap.

1 Paul Manning (GBr) Great Britain 3.02.31
2 Chris Newton (GBr) Great Britain 0.11
3 Mark Lovatt (GBr) Lancaster Compensation Group 0.12
4 Hubert Nowak (Pol) Poland Team Legia
5 Ciaran Power (Irl) Team Ireland Stena Line
6 Ian McLeod (Rsa) South Africa Team HSBC
7 John Tanner (GBr) Lancaster Compensation Group
8 Huw Pritchard (GBr) Wales
9 Ari Hojgaard (Den) Denmark Distrikt Jylland-Fyn
10 Julian Winn (GBr) Wales
11 Hichem Menad (Alg) France VC La Pomme 0.22

General classification after stage 6

1 Ciaran Power (Irl) Team Ireland Stena Line 23.08.21
2 Chris Newton (GBr) Great Britain 4.03
3 Ari Hojgaard (Den) Denmark Distrikt Jylland-Fyn 4.32
4 Hubert Nowak (Pol) Poland Team Legia 4.33
5 Hichem Menad (Alg) France VC La Pomme 4.43
6 John Tanner (GBr) Lancaster Compensation Group 4.55
7 Ian McLeod (Rsa) South Africa Team HSBC 5.12
8 Mark Lovatt (GBr) Lancaster Compensation Group 5.12
9 Julian Winn (GBr) Wales 11.35
10 Kevin Dawson (GBr) Lancaster Compensation Group 12.08