Stage 3 - Clifden - Ballina     <Previous Stage>     <Next Stage>

POWER WINS AS MANNING MISSES OUT AGAIN

Better weather, including tail winds at times, pepped up the spirits of the riders in the Milk Ras and produced the most dynamic stage so far, with last year’s winner Ciaran Power of Ireland taking the honours at the stage finish in Ballina.

The race went from the gun today and the field was already starting to split as they left the start town of Clifden. Moving out onto a stretch of exposed countryside, the head of the race was soon four minutes plus up on the main field, though in truth the leading riders were spread over a considerable stretch of road, mainly in small groups.

Eventually at about 50km a larger group of about 25 riders – including virtually all the main contenders and all five GB riders - consolidated and for a time it appeared that they would get away for the day. However, some vigorous chasing brought them back and a new larger group of sixty or so riders formed.

At about 70km into the stage, Life Repair’s Mark Lovatt set out on a lone break and, un-bothered by the stretches of headwind now being encountered, he built up a lead of over 90 seconds. Eventually he began to lose ground on a diminishing chase group and disappointingly for fans of this do-or-die rider, he was caught with about 5km to go to the finish.

Ireland’s Ciaran Power and Steve Cummings of GB then briefly escaped off the front, but the lead group, now down to 44 riders, came back together as it entered the finish town of Ballina.

GB’s Paul Manning, who is having a good week, led out Chris Newton, but a complex run in, with three tight corners interrupted the move and Paul was left to go for the win alone. He entered the final 250m on the front, but three riders came past him, including the winner, Power, who had done well to recover from his attack a couple of minutes earlier.

The leading group of riders on General Classification, all at 30 seconds or less, has now reduced to just seventeen. Four of the GB riders – Chris Newton, Paul Manning, Steve Cummings and Kieran Page – are in there along with the Life Repair duo of Tanner and Lovatt and race leader Tommy Evans. The Swedish Bianchi team also continue to look dangerous and had three in the top eleven finishers today.

Tomorrow sees more of the same – winds and rolling roads, with the big, mountainous stages on Friday and Saturday likely to prove decisive.

Results
1. Power,Ciarán Ireland - Irish Sports Council 3h27'24"
2. Moriaty,Eugene Meath Lee Strand Cycleways @ same time
3. Elliott,Malcolm London Irish Team Sdeals/Jbc @ same time
4. Manning,Paul Great Britain @ same time
5. Holmkvist,Jonas Sweden Bianchi Scandinavia @ same time
6. Stevenson,Cody Australia Team Down Under @ same time
7. Barker,Yanto Wales Stena Line @ same time
8. O'Loughlin,David Ireland - Irish Sports Council @ same time
9. Bazayev,Assan Kazakhstan @ same time
10. Ljungblad,Jonas Sweden Bianchi Scandinavia @ same time
11. Lovkvist,Thomas Sweden Bianchi Scandinavia @ same time
12. Newton,Chris Great Britain @ same time
13. Ahern,Brian Kildare HirEquip @ same time
14. Worthington,Dave Surrey Team gbcycles.co.uk @ same time
15. Evans,Thomas Ireland - Irish Sports Council @ same time
16. Kohler,Patrick Germany Rg Gutersloh/Neheim @ same time
17. Lergard,Tobias Sweden Bianchi Scandinavia @ same time
18. Griffin,Paul Dublin Iarnród Eireann @ same time
19. O'Donoghue,Edward Dublin Usher Insulations @ same time
20. Hojgaard,Ari Denmark Jylland-Fyn @ same time
21. Tanner,John Lancaster Life Repair Group @ same time
22. Muir,Ross Lincoln @ same time
23. Lovatt,Mark Lancaster Life Repair Group @ same time
24. Dodd,Gary Surrey Team gbcycles.co.uk @ same time
25. Charlesworth,John England primera-bournemouth @ same time
26. Mulcahy,Michael Dublin Usher Insulations @ same time
27. Clarke,Raymond Meath Lee Strand Cycleways @ same time
28. Moriaty,Patrick Dublin Skip @ same time
29. Dawson,Kevin Lancaster Life Repair Group @ same time
30. Belsham,Christopher England primera-bournemouth @ same time
31. Gorbachevskiy,Vadin Kazakhstan @ same time
32. Segarsall,Mikael Sweden Bianchi Scandinavia @ same time
33. Page,Kieran Great Britain @ same time
34. Cummings,Steve Great Britain @ same time
35. Spence,Daniel South Africa Team HSBC @ same time
36. Haynes,Hamish England North West Division @ same time
37. Fenlon,Joe Tipperary Dan Morrissey @ same time
38. Cahill,Ritchie Tipperary Dan Morrissey @ same time
39. Smith,Neil Lincoln @ same time
40. Brondberg,Carl Henning Denmark Jylland-Fyn @ same time
41. Donnellan,Andrew Ireland - Irish Sports Council @ same time
42. Gleeson,Vincent Ireland - Irish Sports Council @ same time
43. Steel,Bryan Great Britain @ same time
44. Harrigan,David Australia Team Down Under @ same time

45. Larsen,Brian Denmark Jylland-Fyn 44"
46. McLeod,Ian South Africa Team HSBC 54"
47. Barry,Tim Tipperary Dan Morrissey 01'10"
48. Stewart,Brian Dublin Usher Insulations 08'47"
49. Finnegan,Derek Meath Donnelly Avonmore @ same time
50. Swithenbank,Neil England North West Division @ same time
51. Eastham,Richard England primera-bournemouth @ same time
52. Medyannikov,Andrey Kazakhstan @ same time
53. Biermann,Sven Germany Rg Gutersloh/Neheim @ same time
54. O'Sullivan,Stephen Meath Lee Strand Cycleways @ same time
55. Morgan,Roger Surrey Team gbcycles.co.uk @ same time
56. Scherf,Jorg Germany Rg Gutersloh/Neheim @ same time
57. Dempsey,John Dublin Iarnród Eireann @ same time
58. McMahon,Kieran Dublin Iarnród Eireann @ same time
59. Peelo,David Dublin Usher Insulations @ same time
60. Sheppard,Paul Wales Stena Line @ same time
61. Norfolk,Jamie Wales Stena Line @ same time
62. Jones,Gareth Wales Energy Cycles Principia @ same time
63. Howes,Jeff South Africa Team HSBC @ same time
64. Kelly,Simon Mayo Galway Bay @ same time
65. Hoy,Justin Surrey Team gbcycles.co.uk @ same time
66. Poad,Jaaron Australia Team Down Under @ same time
67. Marrey,Padraig Mayo Galway Bay 14'43"
68. Enslin,Rob Cambridge Team Dataphonics @ same time
69. Maartens,Jeremy South Africa Team HSBC @ same time
70. Iglinskiv,Maxim Kazakhstan @ same time
71. Capper,Jeff Wales Energy Cycles Principia @ same time
72. Greenwood,Ben Lancaster Life Repair Group @ same time
73. Kenwright,Nick USA Bici Imports-CSN-Rudy Proj @ same time
74. Horgan,John Dublin Skip @ same time
75. Berkeley,David Surrey Team gbcycles.co.uk @ same time
76. Gallagher,Keith Kildare North @ same time
77. Gibson,Stephen England primera-bournemouth @ same time
78. Peppard,John Dublin Iarnród Eireann @ same time
79. Murphy,Conor Kildare HirEquip @ same time
80. Hallam,Ben Cambridge Team Dataphonics @ same time
81. Estadieu,Laurent Cambridge Team Dataphonics @ same time
82. Kenneally,Brian Tipperary Dan Morrissey 15'21"
83. Devins,Michael Mayo Galway Bay 32'45"
84. Reade,Aidan Mayo Galway Bay @ same time
85. Keane,Cathal Mayo Galway Bay @ same time
86. Hedderman,Adrian Dublin Skip @ same time
87. Sheehan,Gary Kildare North @ same time
88. McDonald,Scott Dublin Orwell @ same time
89. Svatek,Matt USA Team Sportsbook.com @ same time
90. Adams,Isaiah USA Bici Imports-CSN-Rudy Proj @ same time
91. Wall,John Kildare North @ same time
92. Briggs,Graham Lancaster Life Repair Group @ same time
93. Sweetman,Craig Meath Donnelly Avonmore @ same time
94. McCaughley,Dara Meath Donnelly Avonmore @ same time
95. O'Leary,Frank Dublin Usher Insulations @ same time
96. Roche,Greg Wales Energy Cycles Principia @ same time
97. Brindley,Matt Lincoln @ same time
98. Finegan,Philip Meath Lee Strand Cycleways @ same time
99. Perera,Lawrence USA Team Sportsbook.com @ same time
100. Brady,Tony Meath Donnelly Avonmore @ same time
101. McLeavey,Mark Dublin Skip @ same time
102. Dobbin,James Lincoln @ same time
103. Beck,Josh USA Team Sportsbook.com @ same time
104. Greene,Tom Kildare Newbridge @ same time
105. Bracken,Colm Dublin Iarnród Eireann @ same time
106. Lynch,Brian Dublin Orwell @ same time
107. Hooker,Ross Kildare HirEquip @ same time
108. Melville,Matt Cambridge Team Dataphonics @ same time
109. Nickson,Bill England North West Division @ same time
110. Barras,Tom Australia Team Down Under @ same time
111. Markouris,Denis Kildare Newbridge @ same time
112. Varley,Christian England North West Division @ same time
113. Leech,Ryan USA Bici Imports-CSN-Rudy Proj @ same time
114. Kelly,Feargal Wicklow Sahara @ same time
115. Harris,Brian Wicklow Sahara @ same time
116. Crowley,Aidan Meath Lee Strand Cycleways @ same time
117. Hodges Myerson,Adam USA Team Sportsbook.com @ same time
118. Hillard,John Paul Dublin Skip @ same time
119. Larsen,Michael Denmark Jylland-Fyn @ same time
120. Roche,Laurence Kildare North @ same time
121. O'Sullivan,Keith Wicklow Sahara @ same time
122. Ball,James South Africa Team HSBC @ same time
123. Kinch,Declan Wicklow Sahara @ same time
124. McCormack,Fintan Kildare Newbridge @ same time
125. Tansey,David Dublin Orwell @ same time
126. Cunningham,Derek Wicklow Sahara @ same time
127. Howells,Stephen London Irish Team Sdeals/Jbc 39'50"
128. Mulligan,Paul Kildare HirEquip @ same time
129. Furley,Sean London Irish Team Sdeals/Jbc 43'52"
130. Finn,Eamon Dublin Orwell @ same time
131. Caddow,Martin Dublin Orwell @ same time
132. Yates,Matthew Australia Team Down Under 44'06"
133. Rose,George Wales Stena Line @ same time

General Classification after Stage 3
1. Evans,Thomas Ireland - Irish Sports Council 12h07'05"
2. Hojgaard,Ari Denmark Jylland-Fyn @ 04"
3. Holmkvist,Jonas Sweden Bianchi Scandinavia @ 27"
4. Lovkvist,Thomas Sweden Bianchi Scandinavia @ 29"
5. Bazayev,Assan Kazakhstan @ 30"
6. Manning,Paul Great Britain @ 30"
7. Newton,Chris Great Britain @ 30"
8. Power,Ciarán Ireland - Irish Sports Council @ 30"
9. Griffin,Paul Dublin Iarnród Eireann @ 30"
10. O'Loughlin,David Ireland - Irish Sports Council @ 30".

11. Tanner,John Lancaster Life Repair Group @ 30"
12. Page,Kieran Great Britain @ 30"
13. Lergard,Tobias Sweden Bianchi Scandinavia @ 30"
14. Haynes,Hamish England North West Division @ 30"
15. Moriaty,Patrick Dublin Skip @ 30"
16. Lovatt,Mark Lancaster Life Repair Group @ 30"
17. Cummings,Steve Great Britain @ 30"
18. McLeod,Ian South Africa Team HSBC @ 01'24"
19. Dodd,Gary Surrey Team gbcycles.co.uk. @ 09'03"
20. Kelly,Simon Mayo Galway Bay @ 09'17".

21. Medyannikov,Andrey Kazakhstan @ 09'17"
22. Donnellan,Andrew Ireland - Irish Sports Council @ 09'44"
23. Barker,Yanto Wales Stena Line @ 12'30"
24. Ljungblad,Jonas Sweden Bianchi Scandinavia @ 12'30"
25. Worthington,Dave Surrey Team gbcycles.co.uk @ 12'30"
26. Smith,Neil Lincoln @ 12'30"
27. Cahill,Ritchie Tipperary Dan Morrissey @ 12'30"
28. Gallagher,Keith Kildare North @ 15'13"
29. Maartens,Jeremy South Africa Team HSBC @ 15'13"
30. Harrigan,David Australia Team Down Under @ 15'13"
31. Stevenson,Cody Australia Team Down Under @ 15'14"
32. Elliott,Malcolm London Irish Team Sdeals/Jbc @ 15'18"
33. O'Donoghue,Edward Dublin Usher Insulations @ 15'18"
34. Moriaty,Eugene Meath Lee Strand Cycleways @ 15'18"
35. Ahern,Brian Kildare HirEquip @ 15'18"
36. Mulcahy,Michael Dublin Usher Insulations @ 15'18"
37. Dawson,Kevin Lancaster Life Repair Group @ 15'18"
38. Kohler,Patrick Germany Rg Gutersloh/Neheim @ 15'18"
39. Steel,Bryan Great Britain @ 15'18"
40. Fenlon,Joe Tipperary Dan Morrissey @ 15'18"
41. Gleeson,Vincent Ireland - Irish Sports Council @ 15'18"
42. Charlesworth,John England primera-bournemouth @ 15'18"
43. Clarke,Raymond Meath Lee Strand Cycleways @ 15'18"
44. Belsham,Christopher England primera-bournemouth @ 15'18"
45. Segarsall,Mikael Sweden Bianchi Scandinavia @ 15'18"
46. Spence,Daniel South Africa Team HSBC @ 15'18"
47. Larsen,Brian Denmark Jylland-Fyn @ 16'02"
48. Barry,Tim Tipperary Dan Morrissey @ 16'28"
49. Muir,Ross Lincoln @ 16'39"
50. Gorbachevskiy,Vadin Kazakhstan @ 16'39"
51. Biermann,Sven Germany Rg Gutersloh/Neheim @ 17'50"
52. Morgan,Roger Surrey Team gbcycles.co.uk @ 21'17"
53. Eastham,Richard England primera-bournemouth @ 24'05"
54. O'Sullivan,Stephen Meath Lee Strand Cycleways @ 24'05"
55. McMahon,Kieran Dublin Iarnród Eireann @ 24'05"
56. Stewart,Brian Dublin Usher Insulations @ 24'05"
57. Poad,Jaaron Australia Team Down Under @ 24'05"
58. Sheppard,Paul Wales Stena Line @ 24'05"
59. Howes,Jeff South Africa Team HSBC @ 24'05"
60. Peelo,David Dublin Usher Insulations @ 24'05"
61. Dempsey,John Dublin Iarnród Eireann @ 24'05"
62. Iglinskiv,Maxim Kazakhstan @ 24'24"
63. Jones,Gareth Wales Energy Cycles Principia @ 25'26"
64. Marrey,Padraig Mayo Galway Bay @ 30'01"
65. Capper,Jeff Wales Energy Cycles Principia @ 30'01"
66. Horgan,John Dublin Skip @ 30'01"
67. Berkeley,David Surrey Team gbcycles.co.uk @ 30'01"
68. Murphy,Conor Kildare HirEquip @ 30'01"
69. Estadieu,Laurent Cambridge Team Dataphonics @ 30'01"
70. Enslin,Rob Cambridge Team Dataphonics @ 30'01"
71. Hallam,Ben Cambridge Team Dataphonics @ 30'01"
72. Brondberg,Carl Henning Denmark Jylland-Fyn @ 31'44"
73. Kenneally,Brian Tipperary Dan Morrissey @ 32'00"
74. Peppard,John Dublin Iarnród Eireann @ 32'01"
75. Svatek,Matt USA Team Sportsbook.com @ 33'15"
76. Beck,Josh USA Team Sportsbook.com @ 33'15"
77. Norfolk,Jamie Wales Stena Line @ 41'34"
78. Scherf,Jorg Germany Rg Gutersloh/Neheim @ 41'34"
79. Hoy,Justin Surrey Team gbcycles.co.uk @ 42'55"
80. Hodges Myerson,Adam USA Team Sportsbook.com @ 44'26"
81. Barras,Tom Australia Team Down Under @ 45'15"
82. McDonald,Scott Dublin Orwell @ 45'15"
83. Swithenbank,Neil England North West Division @ 45'41"
84. Kenwright,Nick USA Bici Imports-CSN-Rudy Proj @ 47'30"
85. Roche,Greg Wales Energy Cycles Principia @ 48'03"
86. Melville,Matt Cambridge Team Dataphonics @ 48'03"
87. Hooker,Ross Kildare HirEquip @ 48'03"
88. Finegan,Philip Meath Lee Strand Cycleways @ 48'03"
89. Perera,Lawrence USA Team Sportsbook.com @ 48'03"
90. Ball,James South Africa Team HSBC @ 48'03"
91. Hedderman,Adrian Dublin Skip @ 48'03"
92. Larsen,Michael Denmark Jylland-Fyn @ 48'03"
93. Greenwood,Ben Lancaster Life Repair Group @ 48'51"
94. Gibson,Stephen England primera-bournemouth @ 48'51"
95. Briggs,Graham Lancaster Life Repair Group @ 49'24"
96. Dobbin,James Lincoln @ 49'24"
97. Markouris,Denis Kildare Newbridge @ 49'24"
98. Mulligan,Paul Kildare HirEquip @ 55'08"
99. Sheehan,Gary Kildare North @ 57'41"
100. Bracken,Colm Dublin Iarnród Eireann @ 57'41"
101 Brindley,Matt Lincoln @ 57'41"
102 Yates,Matthew Australia Team Down Under @ 59'23"
103 Rose,George Wales Stena Line @ 59'24"
104 Finnegan,Derek Meath Donnelly Avonmore @ 1h00'43"
105 Varley,Christian England North West Division @ 1h05'05"
106 Crowley,Aidan Meath Lee Strand Cycleways @ 1h05'30"
107 McCaughley,Dara Meath Donnelly Avonmore @ 1h05'32"
108 Hillard,John Paul Dublin Skip @ 1h06'08"
109 Greene,Tom Kildare Newbridge @ 1h07'32"
110 O'Leary,Frank Dublin Usher Insulations @ 1h07'41"
111 Roche,Laurence Kildare North @ 1h12'40"
112 Howells,Stephen London Irish Team Sdeals/Jbc @ 1h13'58"
113 Lynch,Brian Dublin Orwell @ 1h14'07"
114 Reade,Aidan Mayo Galway Bay @ 1h14'52"
115 Sweetman,Craig Meath Donnelly Avonmore @ 1h15'10"
116 Brady,Tony Meath Donnelly Avonmore @ 1h15'10"
117 O'Sullivan,Keith Wicklow Sahara @ 1h15'10"
118 Leech,Ryan USA Bici Imports-CSN-Rudy Proj @ 1h19'08"
119 Devins,Michael Mayo Galway Bay @ 1h21'35"
120 Adams,Isaiah USA Bici Imports-CSN-Rudy Proj @ 1h23'37"
121 McLeavey,Mark Dublin Skip @ 1h23'37"
122 Nickson,Bill England North West Division @ 1h27'08"
123 Keane,Cathal Mayo Galway Bay @ 1h28'46"
124 Kelly,Feargal Wicklow Sahara @ 1h32'57"
125 Harris,Brian Wicklow Sahara @ 1h32'57"
126 Tansey,David Dublin Orwell @ 1h32'57"
127 Finn,Eamon Dublin Orwell @ 1h44'04"
128 Kinch,Declan Wicklow Sahara @ 1h46'20"
129 Cunningham,Derek Wicklow Sahara @ 1h47'13"
130 McCormack,Fintan Kildare Newbridge @ 1h50'45"
131 Wall,John Kildare North @ 1h55'10"
132 Furley,Sean London Irish Team Sdeals/Jbc @ 2h11'03"
133 Caddow,Martin Dublin Orwell @ 2h24'50"