Stage 8 - May 26: Phoenix Park Circuit Race, 50 km     <Main Page>     <Previous Stage>

Win number 3 for Newton

The final stage was won by GB rider Chris Newton, who ended the race second overall and took three stage wins plus the points classification.

Holding a large lead going into the stage, Power needed just to avoid crashes and other misfortune in order to win the race. His Team Ireland Stena Line squad helped limit attacks in the criterium in Dublin's vast Phoenix Park, setting a high pace at the front of the bunch and reeling in anyone strong enough to have a go.

Newton's Great Britain squad took over the pace-setting in the closing stages, lining out the bunch and paving the way for another powerful sprint by the points classification leader. Power was in the perfect position as the gallop began, but gear problems initially hampered his charge. He accelerated noticeably in the closing metres but just failed to pass Newton before the line.

"It was very close", Power said afterwards. "I had trouble getting the bike into the eleven sprocket for the sprint and had to sprint in the saddle until the chain dropped down, with about 30 metres to go. I nearly passed Newton but the line came just a bit too soon. But winning the race overall is the most important thing."

1 Chris Newton (GBr) Great Britain 1.12.45
2 Ciaran Power (Irl) Team Ireland Stena Line
3 Dariusz Rudnicki (Pol) Poland Team Legia
4 Eugene Moriarty (Ire) Meath Lee Strand Cycleways
5 Kieran McMahon (Irl) Ciarrai Earl Of Desmond
6 Huw Pritchard (GBr) Wales
7 Buck Miller (Can) Canada Team Sympatico
8 Aidan Crowley (Ire) Meath Lee Strand Cycleways
9 Taichi Suzuki (Jpn) Japan Cycleways
10 Colm Bracken (Irl) Dublin Usher Insulation