STAGE 2 Roscrea - Clifden 188.1km     <Previous Stage>     <Next Stage>

FOUR OUT OF FIVE FOR GB AS WEATHER SPLITS RACE

The stage start ...

The second stage of the 2003 FBD Milk Ras saw the first significant selection of the race, with 24 riders gaining eight minutes or more – in some cases much more – on the almost all the rest of the field. At the finish, the Swedish Bianchi Scandanavia team recorded their first win of the race, with Jonas Holmkvist out-sprinting Assan Bazayev of Kazakhstan.

The stage took place in pretty extreme conditions. The month of May should signal the start of summer, but the riders were treated to blustery head and cross winds and squally showers which lashed them with horizontal rain. Heavy "dead" roads – with rough surfaces, not conducive to rolling – added to the competitors’ toils and inevitably cracks began to appear in the field as the stronger riders wore down the lesser lights.

Heavy and wet roads made racing even harder ....

With a wide range of abilities taking part, the race can at times get quite twitchy, with riders often not strong enough to follow through well intentioned attacks, leading to frequent attacks and general nervousness amongst the field. However, by the time the race had passed through Galway, with about 40 miles to go, significant moves were taking place. GB’s Chris Newton initiated a break, which was gradually joined by a select band of riders.

By the end of the stage, 24 riders had effectively taken ownership of the race, with the overall winner unlikely to come from outside their number. Pleasingly for the GB team, they had four of their five riders in the break – the biggest representation of any team and a situation which will give the team plenty of attacking options as the race unfolds. The only rider not to make the split was Bryan Steel, though he finished comfortably in a group at fifteen minutes.

A rather wet Bryan Steel can still smile after a cold and difficult stage in Ireland.

Major losers on the day included Malcolm Elliott, who lost 14 minutes along with Life Repair’s Kevin Dawson. Another big name to lose out was Wales’ Yanto Barker, who recently won a stage of the Circuit des Mines and who has been in good form this season.

GB Manager John Herety was pleased with the performance of his team, though again disappointed that a stage win had been missed: "I was going to give them a bit of a roasting to gee them up, but when I saw the faces of the riders after they’d finished I decided not to – everyone was cold, wet and drained. In fact as we watched the top three on the stage going through dope control and then presentations I was more than happy our riders missed out. Race leader Tommy Evans looked absolutely frozen – even his bike was shaking as he went past me!"

For the team support staff, the conditions meant some hard work at the stage finish. In situations like these, riders are whisked to their hotels given showers, baths, hot food, hot drinks and often sent to bed wearing every item of leisure clothing they can lay their hands on – the aim, quite naturally, to restore energy, fluid and body temperature levels as quickly as possible. Cold can be a significant inhibitor of recovery and this race will, more than likely, be won by the rider best able to cope with and recover from the conditions.

Tomorrow there’s another long road stage with no significant climbs, where once again the weather will be the chief problem for the riders. We’ll bring you news as soon as we get it.

The Finish ....

Results

1 Holmkvist,Jonas Sweden Bianchi Scandinavia 5h13'14"
2 Bazayev,Assan Kazakhstan @ same time
3 McLeod,Ian South Africa Team HSBC @ same time
4 Gallagher,Keith Kildare North @ same time
5 Power,Ciarán Ireland - Irish Sports Council @ same time
6 Kelly,Simon Mayo Galway Bay @ same time
7 Griffin,Paul Dublin Iarnród Eireann @ same time
8 Haynes,Hamish England North West Division @ same time
9 Hojgaard,Ari Denmark Jylland-Fyn @ same time
10 Tanner,John Lancaster Life Repair Group @ same time
11 Maartens,Jeremy South Africa Team HSBC @ same time
12 Moriaty,Patrick Dublin Skip @ same time
13 O'Loughlin,David Ireland - Irish Sports Council @ same time
14 Lergard,Tobias Sweden Bianchi Scandinavia @ same time
15 Medyannikov,Andrey Kazakhstan @ same time
16 Manning,Paul Great Britain @ same time
17 Lovatt,Mark Lancaster Life Repair Group @ same time
18 Evans,Thomas Ireland - Irish Sports Council @ same time
19 Newton,Chris Great Britain @ same time
20 Beck,Josh USA Team Sportsbook.com @ same time
21 Cummings,Steve Great Britain @ same time
22 Svatek,Matt USA Team Sportsbook.com @ same time
23 Lovkvist,Thomas Sweden Bianchi Scandinavia @ same time
24 Page,Kieran Great Britain @ same time
25 Wyley,Rory London Irish Team Sdeals/Jbc @ 04'39"
26 Biermann,Sven Germany Rg Gutersloh/Neheim @08'33"
27 Dodd,Gary Surrey Team gbcycles.co.uk @ same time
28 Iglinskiv,Maxim Kazakhstan 09'14"
29 Donnellan,Andrew Ireland - Irish Sports Council @ same time
30 Hodges Myerson,Adam USA Team Sportsbook.com @ 11'14"
31 Roche,Laurence Kildare North @ 12.00
32 Morgan,Roger Surrey Team gbcycles.co.uk @ same time
33 Ljungblad,Jonas Sweden Bianchi Scandinavia @ same time
34 Worthington,Dave Surrey Team gbcycles.co.uk @ same time
35 Barras,Tom Australia Team Down Under @ same time
36 Smith,Neil Lincoln @ same time
37 Barker,Yanto Wales Stena Line @ same time
38 Cahill,Ritchie Tipperary Dan Morrissey @ same time
39 McDonald,Scott Dublin Orwell @ same time
40 Hillard,John Paul Dublin Skip @14'48"
41 Finnegan,Derek Meath Donnelly Avonmore @ same time
42 Kohler,Patrick Germany Rg Gutersloh/Neheim @ same time
43 Stewart,Brian Dublin Usher Insulations @ same time
44 Devins,Michael Mayo Galway Bay @ same time
45 Bracken,Colm Dublin Iarnród Eireann @ same time
46 Mulligan,Paul Kildare HirEquip @ same time
47 Sheehan,Gary Kildare North @ same time
48 Roche,Greg Wales Energy Cycles Principia @ same time
49 Belsham,Christopher England primera-bournemouth @ same time
50 Peppard,John Dublin Iarnród Eireann @ same time
51 Harrigan,David Australia Team Down Under @ same time
52 Eastham,Richard England primera-bournemouth @ same time
53 Berkeley,David Surrey Team gbcycles.co.uk @ same time
--- Briggs,Graham Lancaster Life Repair Group @ same time
--- Melville,Matt Cambridge Team Dataphonics @ same time
--- Muir,Ross Lincoln @ same time
57 Gorbachevskiy,Vadin Kazakhstan @ same time
58 Marrey,Padraig Mayo Galway Bay @ same time
59 Hallam,Ben Cambridge Team Dataphonics @ same time
60 Dawson,Kevin Lancaster Life Repair Group @ same time
61 Yates,Matthew Australia Team Down Under @ same time
62 Clarke,Raymond Meath Lee Strand Cycleways @ same time
63 O'Donoghue,Edward Dublin Usher Insulations @ same time
64 Elliott,Malcolm London Irish Team Sdeals/Jbc @ same time
65 Murphy,Conor Kildare HirEquip @ same time
66 Howes,Jeff South Africa Team HSBC @ same time
67 Steel,Bryan Great Britain @ same time
68 Kay,Alastair England primera-bournemouth @ same time
69 Spence,Daniel South Africa Team HSBC @ same time
70 Capper,Jeff Wales Energy Cycles Principia @ same time
71 Jones,Gareth Wales Energy Cycles Principia @ same time
72 McMahon,Kieran Dublin Iarnród Eireann @ same time
73 Gleeson,Vincent Ireland - Irish Sports Council @ same time
74 Fox,Bert Germany Rg Gutersloh/Neheim @ same time
75 Moriaty,Eugene Meath Lee Strand Cycleways @ same time
76 Mulcahy,Michael Dublin Usher Insulations @ same time
77 Charlesworth,John England primera-bournemouth @ same time
78 Segarsall,Mikael Sweden Bianchi Scandinavia @ same time
79 Ahern,Brian Kildare HirEquip @ same time
80 Finegan,Philip Meath Lee Strand Cycleways @ same time
81 Sheppard,Paul Wales Stena Line @ same time
82 Dobbin,James Lincoln @ same time
83 Estadieu,Laurent Cambridge Team Dataphonics @ same time
84 Enslin,Rob Cambridge Team Dataphonics @ same time
85 Barry,Tim Tipperary Dan Morrissey @ same time
86 Brindley,Matt Lincoln @ same time
87 O'Sullivan,Stephen Meath Lee Strand Cycleways @ same time
88 Stevenson,Cody Australia Team Down Under @ same time
89 Hooker,Ross Kildare HirEquip @ same time
90 Perera,Lawrence USA Team Sportsbook.com @ same time
91 Larsen,Brian Denmark Jylland-Fyn @ same time
92 Horgan,John Dublin Skip @ same time
93 Fenlon,Joe Tipperary Dan Morrissey @ same time
94 Rose,George Wales Stena Line @ same time
95 Peelo,David Dublin Usher Insulations @ same time
96 Dempsey,John Dublin Iarnród Eireann @ same time
97 Hedderman,Adrian Dublin Skip @ same time
98 Poad,Jaaron Australia Team Down Under @ same time
99 Nickson,Bill England North West Division @ same time
100 Kenneally,Brian Tipperary Dan Morrissey @ same time
101 Ball,James South Africa Team HSBC @ same time
102 Larsen,Michael Denmark Jylland-Fyn @ same time
103 Markouris,Denis Kildare Newbridge @ same time
104 Varley,Christian England North West Division @ 22'12"
105 Hohmann,Daniel Germany Rg Gutersloh/Neheim @ 31'14"
106 Lynch,Brian Dublin Orwell @ same time
107 Brondberg,Carl Henning Denmark Jylland-Fyn @ same time
108 Reade,Aidan Mayo Galway Bay @ 31'59"
109 Roche,Iain Wales Energy Cycles Principia @ 32’17"
110 Adams,Isaiah USA Bici Imports-CSN-Rudy Proj @ same time
111 Howells,Stephen London Irish Team Sdeals/Jbc @ same time
112 Hoy,Justin Surrey Team gbcycles.co.uk @ same time
113 Norfolk,Jamie Wales Stena Line @ same time
114 Scherf,Jorg Germany Rg Gutersloh/Neheim @ same time
115 O'Sullivan,Keith Wicklow Sahara @ same time
116 McLeavey,Mark Dublin Skip @ same time
117 Kelly,Feargal Wicklow Sahara @ same time
118 Lynch,Cian Kildare North @ same time
119 McCaughley,Dara Meath Donnelly Avonmore @ same time
120 Greene,Tom Kildare Newbridge @ same time
121 Kelly,Mark Cambridge Team Dataphonics @ same time
122 Harris,Brian Wicklow Sahara @ same time
123 Crowley,Aidan Meath Lee Strand Cycleways @ same time
124 Kenwright,Nick USA Bici Imports-CSN-Rudy Proj @ same time
125 O'Leary,Frank Dublin Usher Insulations @ same time
126 Hey,Peter Wales Energy Cycles Principia @ same time
127 Tansey,David Dublin Orwell @ same time
128 Finn,Eamon Dublin Orwell @ same time
129 Greenwood,Ben Lancaster Life Repair Group @ same time
130 Brady,Tony Meath Donnelly Avonmore @ same time
131 Gibson,Stephen England primera-bournemouth @ same time
132 Sweetman,Craig Meath Donnelly Avonmore @ same time
133 Kinch,Declan Wicklow Sahara @ same time
134 Swithenbank,Neil England North West Division @ 36'24"
135 Cunningham,Derek Wicklow Sahara @ 37'20"
136 McCormack,Fintan Kildare Newbridge@ 40'52"
137 Keane,Cathal Mayo Galway Bay @ 45'53"
138 Furley,Sean London Irish Team Sdeals/Jbc @ same time
139 Leech,Ryan USA Bici Imports-CSN-Rudy Proj @ same time
140 Malarczyk,Anthony Wales Stena Line @ 56'31"
141 Everett,David England North West Division @ 1h03'50"
142 Caddow,Martin Dublin Orwell @ same time
143 Wall,John Kildare North @ same time

General Classification After Stage 2
1 Evans,Thomas Ireland - Irish Sports Council 8h39'41"
2 Hojgaard,Ari Denmark Jylland-Fyn @ 04"
3 Holmkvist,Jonas Sweden Bianchi Scandinavia @ 27"
4 Lovkvist,Thomas Sweden Bianchi Scandinavia @ 29"
Bazayev,Assan Kazakhstan @ 30"
6 Griffin,Paul Dublin Iarnród Eireann @ 30"
7 Gallagher,Keith Kildare North @ 30"
8 Newton,Chris Great Britain @ 30"
9 Manning,Paul Great Britain @ 30"
10 Kelly,Simon Mayo Galway Bay @ 30"
11 Power,Ciarán Ireland - Irish Sports Council @ 30"
12 Tanner,John Lancaster Life Repair Group @ 30"
13 O'Loughlin,David Ireland - Irish Sports Council @ 30"
14 Page,Kieran Great Britain @ 30"
15 Haynes,Hamish England North West Division @ 30"
16 Medyannikov,Andrey Kazakhstan @ 30"
17 Lergard,Tobias Sweden Bianchi Scandinavia @ 30"
18 Maartens,Jeremy South Africa Team HSBC @ 30"
19 Svatek,Matt USA Team Sportsbook.com @ 30"
20 Moriaty,Patrick Dublin Skip @ 30"
21 Cummings,Steve Great Britain @ 30"
22 McLeod,Ian South Africa Team HSBC @ 30"
23 Beck,Josh USA Team Sportsbook.com @ 30"
24 Lovatt,Mark Lancaster Life Repair Group @ 30"
25 Wyley,Rory London Irish Team Sdeals/Jbc @ 05'09"
26 Dodd,Gary Surrey Team gbcycles.co.uk @ 09'03"
27 Biermann,Sven Germany Rg Gutersloh/Neheim @ 09'03"
28 Iglinskiv,Maxim Kazakhstan @ 09'41"
29 Donnellan,Andrew Ireland - Irish Sports Council @ 09'44"
30 Hodges Myerson,Adam USA Team Sportsbook.com @ 11'41"
31 Barras,Tom Australia Team Down Under @ 12'30"
32 Barker,Yanto Wales Stena Line @ 12'30"
33 Ljungblad,Jonas Sweden Bianchi Scandinavia @ 12'30"
34 Morgan,Roger Surrey Team gbcycles.co.uk @ 12'30"
35 Smith,Neil Lincoln @ 12'30"
36 Worthington,Dave Surrey Team gbcycles.co.uk @ 12'30"
37 Cahill,Ritchie Tipperary Dan Morrissey @ 12'30"
38 McDonald,Scott Dublin Orwell @ 12'30"
39 Harrigan,David Australia Team Down Under @ 15'13"
40 Stevenson,Cody Australia Team Down Under @ 15'14"
41 Yates,Matthew Australia Team Down Under @ 15'17"
42 Roche,Greg Wales Energy Cycles Principia @ 15'18"
43 O'Donoghue,Edward Dublin Usher Insulations @ 15'18"
44 Elliott,Malcolm London Irish Team Sdeals/Jbc @ 15'18"
45 Ahern,Brian Kildare HirEquip @ 15'18"
46 Marrey,Padraig Mayo Galway Bay @ 15'18"
47 Mulcahy,Michael Dublin Usher Insulations @ 15'18"
48 Steel,Bryan Great Britain @ 15'18"
49 Moriaty,Eugene Meath Lee Strand Cycleways @ 15'18"
50 Melville,Matt Cambridge Team Dataphonics @ 15'18"
51 Dawson,Kevin Lancaster Life Repair Group @ 15'18"
52 Capper,Jeff Wales Energy Cycles Principia @ 15'18"
53 McMahon,Kieran Dublin Iarnród Eireann @ 15'18"
54 Gleeson,Vincent Ireland - Irish Sports Council @ 15'18"
55 Hooker,Ross Kildare HirEquip @ 15'18"
56 Fenlon,Joe Tipperary Dan Morrissey @ 15'18"
57 Kay,Alastair England primera-bournemouth @ 15'18"
58 O'Sullivan,Stephen Meath Lee Strand Cycleways @ 15'18"
59 Eastham,Richard England primera-bournemouth @ 15'18"
60 Poad,Jaaron Australia Team Down Under @ 15'18"
61 Horgan,John Dublin Skip @ 15'18"
62 Kohler,Patrick Germany Rg Gutersloh/Neheim @ 15'18"
63 Stewart,Brian Dublin Usher Insulations @ 15'18"
64 Murphy,Conor Kildare HirEquip @ 15'18"
65 Mulligan,Paul Kildare HirEquip @ 15'18"
66 Berkeley,David Surrey Team gbcycles.co.uk @ 15'18"
67 Perera,Lawrence USA Team Sportsbook.com @ 15'18"
68 Charlesworth,John England primera-bournemouth @ 15'18"
69 Finegan,Philip Meath Lee Strand Cycleways @ 15'18"
70 Estadieu,Laurent Cambridge Team Dataphonics @ 15'18"
71 Clarke,Raymond Meath Lee Strand Cycleways @ 15'18"
72 Hallam,Ben Cambridge Team Dataphonics @ 15'18"
73 Belsham,Christopher England primera-bournemouth @ 15'18"
74 Segarsall,Mikael Sweden Bianchi Scandinavia @ 15'18"
75 Barry,Tim Tipperary Dan Morrissey @ 15'18"
76 Ball,James South Africa Team HSBC @ 15'18"
77 Enslin,Rob Cambridge Team Dataphonics @ 15'18"
78 Sheppard,Paul Wales Stena Line @ 15'18"
79 Rose,George Wales Stena Line @ 15'18"
80 Spence,Daniel South Africa Team HSBC @ 15'18"
81 Howes,Jeff South Africa Team HSBC @ 15'18"
82 Peelo,David Dublin Usher Insulations @ 15'18"
83 Larsen,Michael Denmark Jylland-Fyn @ 15'18"
84 Larsen,Brian Denmark Jylland-Fyn @ 15'18"
85 Dempsey,John Dublin Iarnród Eireann @ 15'18"
86 Hedderman,Adrian Dublin Skip @ 15'18"
87 Gorbachevskiy,Vadin Kazakhstan @ 16'39"
88 Briggs,Graham Lancaster Life Repair Group @ 16'39"
89 Muir,Ross Lincoln @ 16'39"
90 Jones,Gareth Wales Energy Cycles Principia @ 16'39"
91 Dobbin,James Lincoln @ 16'39"
92 Markouris,Denis Kildare Newbridge @ 16'39"
93 Kenneally,Brian Tipperary Dan Morrissey @ 16'39"
94 Peppard,John Dublin Iarnród Eireann @ 17'18"
95 Bracken,Colm Dublin Iarnród Eireann @ 24'56"
96 Sheehan,Gary Kildare North @ 24'56"
97 Brindley,Matt Lincoln @ 24'56"
98 Brondberg,Carl Henning Denmark Jylland-Fyn @ 31'44"
99 Varley,Christian England North West Division @ 32'20"
100 Crowley,Aidan Meath Lee Strand Cycleways @ 32'45"
101 Norfolk,Jamie Wales Stena Line @ 32'47"
102 Hey,Peter Wales Energy Cycles Principia @ 32'47"
103 McCaughley,Dara Meath Donnelly Avonmore @ 32'47"
104 Kenwright,Nick USA Bici Imports-CSN-Rudy Proj @ 32'47"
105 Scherf,Jorg Germany Rg Gutersloh/Neheim @ 32'47"
106 Hillard,John Paul Dublin Skip @ 33'23"
107 Fox,Bert Germany Rg Gutersloh/Neheim @ 33'23"
108 Roche,Iain Wales Energy Cycles Principia @ 34'08"
109 Howells,Stephen London Irish Team Sdeals/Jbc @ 34'08"
110 Hoy,Justin Surrey Team gbcycles.co.uk @ 34'08"
111 Greenwood,Ben Lancaster Life Repair Group @ 34'08"
112 Gibson,Stephen England primera-bournemouth @ 34'08"
113 Greene,Tom Kildare Newbridge @ 34'47"
114 O'Leary,Frank Dublin Usher Insulations @ 34'56"
115 Swithenbank,Neil England North West Division @ 36'54"
116 Roche,Laurence Kildare North @ 39'55"
117 Lynch,Brian Dublin Orwell @ 41'22"
118 Reade,Aidan Mayo Galway Bay @ 42'07"
119 O'Sullivan,Keith Wicklow Sahara @ 42'25"
120 Kelly,Mark Cambridge Team Dataphonics @ 42'25"
121 Lynch,Cian Kildare North @ 42'25"
122 Brady,Tony Meath Donnelly Avonmore @ 42'25"
123 Sweetman,Craig Meath Donnelly Avonmore @ 42'25"
124 Leech,Ryan USA Bici Imports-CSN-Rudy Proj @ 46'23"
125 Devins,Michael Mayo Galway Bay @ 48'50"
126 Adams,Isaiah USA Bici Imports-CSN-Rudy Proj @ 50'52"
127 McLeavey,Mark Dublin Skip @ 50'52"
128 Finnegan,Derek Meath Donnelly Avonmore @ 51'56"
129 Hohmann,Daniel Germany Rg Gutersloh/Neheim @ 53'25"
130 Nickson,Bill England North West Division @ 54'23"
131 Keane,Cathal Mayo Galway Bay @ 56'01"
132 Malarczyk,Anthony Wales Stena Line @ 57'01"
133 Kelly,Feargal Wicklow Sahara @ 1h00'12"
134 Harris,Brian Wicklow Sahara @ 1h00'12"
135 Tansey,David Dublin Orwell @ 1h00'12"
136 Finn,Eamon Dublin Orwell @ 1h00'12"
137 Kinch,Declan Wicklow Sahara @ 1h13'35"
138 Cunningham,Derek Wicklow Sahara @ 1h14'28"
139 McCormack,Fintan Kildare Newbridge @ 1h18'00"
140 Wall,John Kildare North @ 1h22'25"
141 Furley,Sean London Irish Team Sdeals/Jbc @ 1h27'11"
142 Caddow,Martin Dublin Orwell @ 1h40'58"
143 Everett,David England North West Division @ 1h46'38"