Stage 7 Donegal - Oldcastle 180.40 kms     <Main Page >     <Previous Stage>     <Next Stage>

Newton Still in Yellow as Power Wins Stage

Great team-work by the GB boys kept Chris Newton in the yellow race-leader’s jersey after another tough and weather-affected stage of the Irish Milk Ras. The riders have been going a week now and with the final stage beckoning on Sunday, Newton is now a firm favourite to win the race.

Today’s stage was between Donegal and Oldcastle and featured strong tail winds throughout. Tail winds bring unique tactical complications. For the race leader’s team, there is always the prospect of attacks from other teams and, with a tail wind to assist them, attackers can often make life very hard for everyone. In its simplest terms, a tailwind raises the speed of the race and attackers can often be travelling at 35mph plus, which means that any counter attacks from the race leader’s team will have to be at even higher speeds, which are very difficult to achieve. In still conditions, a strong team can often pull back attackers, but in tail winds their chances of doing so are greatly reduced.

Against this tactical background, the GB team sat on the front of the main group and controlled the race pace for much of the stage. They allowed a small group, including stage winner Ciaran Power, last year’s race winner, to escape, as none of them were immediate threats to the overall standings. Even so, GB made them work for their advantage -- it took Power’s escape group over 20 miles to gain a lead of just one minute.

The heroes of the piece for GB were the trio of Paul Manning, Kieran Page and Steve Cummings. Team Manager John Herety said "they all rode superbly, every single one of them and they left no-one in any doubt that they’d have to work very hard to gain any advantage."

The Jylland-Fyn team of Dane Ari Hojgaard also contributed to the high pace in the main bunch and Hojgaard himself attacked on the final climb of the day. For a time Chris Newton was isolated as Page, Cummings and Manning fell behind, but the three of them chased successfully over 15 miles and re-joined Newton and the other leading contenders and resumed their pace setting at the front.

Not surprisingly, Cummings and then Page were dropped in the final kilometres into the finish. So exhausted by his efforts was Cummings that he lost 14 minutes in the last 6km of the stage. Page lost about 4 minutes in the last couple of kilometres.

However, Newton was able to cross the line safely in the group containing all the leading challengers to his race leadership and he now takes a five second advantage into tomorrow’s short circuit race final stage in Dublin’s famous Phoenix Park. Barring accidents he ought to be able to hang on to win the race, though with stage wins shared out between very few teams in this race, and with the circuit being pan-flat, many of the remaining hundred riders will be fancying their chances of a stage win. It will therefore be a fast and possibly risky stage.

Returning to Saturday’s stage briefly, the winner was Ciaran Power, who, with his two stage wins, has enjoyed an excellent race. Interestingly, last year it was Newton who was winning the stages and Power who was taking the overall. It looks like this year the roles have been reversed. We’ll let you know if Chris can hang on as soon as we get the results on Sunday evening.

1 Power,Ciarán Ireland - Irish Sports Council 4h01'54"
2 Kohler,Patrick Germany Rg Gutersloh/Neheim @ 16"
3 Poad,Jaaron Australia Team Down Under @ 01'34"
4 Stevenson,Cody Australia Team Down Under @ 04'09"
5 Holmkvist,Jonas Sweden Bianchi Scandinavia 04'09"
6 Moriaty,Eugene Meath Lee Strand Cycleways 04'09"
7 O'Donoghue,Edward Dublin Usher Insulations 04'09"
8 Ahern,Brian Kildare HirEquip 04'09"
9 Iglinskiv,Maxim Kazakhstan 04'09"
10 Hodges Myerson,Adam USA Team Sportsbook.com 04'09"
11 Elliott,Malcolm London Irish Team Sdeals/Jbc 04'09"
12 Finnegan,Derek Meath Donnelly Avonmore 04'09"
13 Kelly,Simon Mayo Galway Bay 04'09"
14 Newton,Chris Great Britain 04'09"
15 Crowley,Aidan Meath Lee Strand Cycleways 04'09"
16 Tanner,John Lancaster Life Repair Group 04'09"
17 Worthington,Dave Surrey Team gbcycles.co.uk 04'09"
18 Lergard,Tobias Sweden Bianchi Scandinavia 04'09"
19 Finegan,Philip Meath Lee Strand Cycleways 04'09"
20 McLeod,Ian South Africa Team HSBC 04'09"
21 Medyannikov,Andrey Kazakhstan 04'09"
22 Gorbachevskiy,Vadin Kazakhstan 04'09"
23 Clarke,Raymond Meath Lee Strand Cycleways 04'09"
24 Norfolk,Jamie Wales Stena Line 04'09"
25 Evans,Thomas Ireland - Irish Sports Council 04'09"
26 Ljungblad,Jonas Sweden Bianchi Scandinavia 04'09"
27 Morgan,Roger Surrey Team gbcycles.co.uk 04'09"
28 McDonald,Scott Dublin Orwell 04'09"
29 Lovkvist,Thomas Sweden Bianchi Scandinavia 04'09"
30 Barras,Tom Australia Team Down Under 04'09"
31 Segarsall,Mikael Sweden Bianchi Scandinavia 04'09"
32 Hojgaard,Ari Denmark Jylland-Fyn 04'09"
33 Fenlon,Joe Tipperary Dan Morrissey 04'09"
34 Sweetman,Craig Meath Donnelly Avonmore 04'09"
35 Griffin,Paul Dublin Iarnród Eireann 04'09"
36 Lovatt,Mark Lancaster Life Repair Group 04'09"
37 Haynes,Hamish England North West Division 04'09"
38 Svatek,Matt USA Team Sportsbook.com 04'09"
39 Gleeson,Vincent Ireland - Irish Sports Council 04'09"
40 Kelly,Feargal Wicklow Sahara 04'09"
41 Cahill,Ritchie Tipperary Dan Morrissey 04'09"
42 Charlesworth,John England primera-bournemouth 04'09"
43 Mulcahy,Michael Dublin Usher Insulations 04'09"
44 Barry,Tim Tipperary Dan Morrissey 04'09"
45 Manning,Paul Great Britain 04'09"
46 Donnellan,Andrew Ireland - Irish Sports Council 04'09"
47 Perera,Lawrence USA Team Sportsbook.com 04'09"
48 Moriaty,Patrick Dublin Skip 04'09"
49 Dodd,Gary Surrey Team gbcycles.co.uk 04'09"
50 Berkeley,David Surrey Team gbcycles.co.uk 04'09"
51 Peelo,David Dublin Usher Insulations 04'09"
52 Eastham,Richard England primera-bournemouth 04'09"
53 Spence,Daniel South Africa Team HSBC 04'09"
54 O'Sullivan,Stephen Meath Lee Strand Cycleways 04'09"
55 Jones,Gareth Wales Energy Cycles Principia 04'09"
56 Smith,Neil Lincoln 04'09"
57 Howes,Jeff South Africa Team HSBC 04'09"
58 Peppard,John Dublin Iarnród Eireann 04'09"
59 Estadieu,Laurent Cambridge Team Dataphonics 04'09"
60 Roche,Laurence Kildare North 04'09"
61 Kenwright,Nick USA Bici Imports-CSN-Rudy Proj 04'09"
62 Sheppard,Paul Wales Stena Line 04'09"
63 Melville,Matt Cambridge Team Dataphonics 04'09"
64 Enslin,Rob Cambridge Team Dataphonics 04'09"
65 Beck,Josh USA Team Sportsbook.com 04'09"
66 Brondberg,Carl Henning Denmark Jylland-Fyn @ 04'32"
67 Horgan,John Dublin Skip @ 04'45"
68 Yates,Matthew Australia Team Down Under @ 04'59"
9 Brady,Tony Meath Donnelly Avonmore @ 05'03"
70 McLeavey,Mark Dublin Skip @ 05'05"
71 McMahon,Kieran Dublin Iarnród Eireann 05'05"
72 Kenneally,Brian Tipperary Dan Morrissey @ 07'07"
73 Page,Kieran Great Britain @ 08'29"
74 Larsen,Brian Denmark Jylland-Fyn @ 08'42"
75 Larsen,Michael Denmark Jylland-Fyn @ 10'09"
76 Cummings,Steve Great Britain @ 18'47"
77 Belsham,Christopher England primera-bournemouth @ 26'08"
78 Hoy,Justin Surrey Team gbcycles.co.uk @ 28'41"
79 Briggs,Graham Lancaster Life Repair Group 28'41"
80 Greenwood,Ben Lancaster Life Repair Group 28'41"
81 Stewart,Brian Dublin Usher Insulations 28'41"
82 O'Leary,Frank Dublin Usher Insulations 28'41"
83 Hillard,John Paul Dublin Skip 28'41"
84 Dempsey,John Dublin Iarnród Eireann 28'41"
85 Bracken,Colm Dublin Iarnród Eireann 28'41"
86 Tansey,David Dublin Orwell 28'41"
87 Finn,Eamon Dublin Orwell 28'41"
88 Sheehan,Gary Kildare North 28'41"
89 McCormack,Fintan Kildare Newbridge 28'41"
90 Marrey,Padraig Mayo Galway Bay 28'41"
91 Reade,Aidan Mayo Galway Bay 28'41"
92 Devins,Michael Mayo Galway Bay 28'41"
93 Harris,Brian Wicklow Sahara 28'41"
94 O'Sullivan,Keith Wicklow Sahara 28'41"
95 Hedderman,Adrian Dublin Skip 28'41"
96 Wall,John Kildare North @ 55'25"
97 Adams,Isaiah USA Bici Imports-CSN-Rudy Proj @ 58'34"
98 Furley,Sean London Irish Team Sdeals/Jbc 58'34"
99 Caddow,Martin Dublin Orwell 58'34"
100 Lynch,Brian Dublin Orwell 58'34"
101 Keane,Cathal Mayo Galway Bay 58'34"
102 Bazayev,Assan Kazakhstan 58'34"

General Classification
1 Newton,Chris GBR Great Britain 27h58'12"
2 Lergard,Tobias SWE Sweden Bianchi Scandinavia 05"
3 Hojgaard,Ari DEN Denmark Jylland-Fyn 12"
4 Lovatt,Mark LAN Lancaster Life Repair Group 34"
5 Tanner,John LAN Lancaster Life Repair Group 01'15"
6 Haynes,Hamish ENW England North West Division 01'15"
7 McLeod,Ian HSB South Africa Team HSBC 02'09"
8 Evans,Thomas IRL Ireland - Irish Sports Council 05'05"
9 Lovkvist,Thomas SWE Sweden Bianchi Scandinavia 05'35"
10 Moriaty,Patrick SKP Dublin Skip 06'03"
11 Holmkvist,Jonas SWE Sweden Bianchi Scandinavia 06'59"
12 Medyannikov,Andrey KAZ Kazakhstan 07'12"
13 Griffin,Paul IR Dublin Iarnród Eireann 07'24"
14 Manning,Paul GBR Great Britain 07'49"
15 Power,Ciarán IRL Ireland - Irish Sports Council 12'39"
16 Moriaty,Eugene MTL Meath Lee Strand Cycleways 14'32"
17 Donnellan,Andrew IRL Ireland - Irish Sports Council 17'22"
18 Worthington,Dave SUR Surrey Team gbcycles.co.uk 18'03"
19 Spence,Daniel HSB South Africa Team HSBC 20'22"
20 Elliott,Malcolm LON London Irish Team Sdeals/Jbc 20'51"
21 Smith,Neil LIN Lincoln 21'54"
22 Morgan,Roger SUR Surrey Team gbcycles.co.uk 22'02"
23 Ahern,Brian KHI Kildare HirEquip 22'47"
24 Iglinskiv,Maxim KAZ Kazakhstan 23'55"
25 Kohler,Patrick GER Germany Rg Gutersloh/Neheim 23'56"
26 Gorbachevskiy,Vadin KAZ Kazakhstan 24'46"
27 Charlesworth,John EPB England primera-bournemouth 25'04"
28 Clarke,Raymond MTL Meath Lee Strand Cycleways 25'20"
29 Cahill,Ritchie TIP Tipperary Dan Morrissey 26'42"
30 Fenlon,Joe TIP Tipperary Dan Morrissey 29'30"
31 Page,Kieran GBR Great Britain 30'18"
32 Eastham,Richard EPB England primera-bournemouth 32'11"
33 Peelo,David USH Dublin Usher Insulations 32'12"
34 Mulcahy,Michael USH Dublin Usher Insulations 32'53"
35 Cummings,Steve GBR Great Britain 32'57"
36 Berkeley,David SUR Surrey Team gbcycles.co.uk 36'57"
37 Segarsall,Mikael SWE Sweden Bianchi Scandinavia 37'22"
38 Estadieu,Laurent CTD Cambridge Team Dataphonics 37'36"
39 Brondberg,Carl Henning DEN Denmark Jylland-Fyn 37'40"
40 Howes,Jeff HSB South Africa Team HSBC 38'17"
41 Ljungblad,Jonas SWE Sweden Bianchi Scandinavia 39'25"
42 Larsen,Brian DEN Denmark Jylland-Fyn 40'50"
43 Dodd,Gary SUR Surrey Team gbcycles.co.uk 44'14"
44 Jones,Gareth ENR Wales Energy Cycles Principia 45'41"
45 Stevenson,Cody TDU Australia Team Down Under 54'03"
46 Norfolk,Jamie STN Wales Stena Line 54'23"
47 Finegan,Philip MTL Meath Lee Strand Cycleways 55'41"
48 Dempsey,John IR Dublin Iarnród Eireann 56'15"
49 Enslin,Rob CTD Cambridge Team Dataphonics 59'09"
50 Larsen,Michael DEN Denmark Jylland-Fyn 59'36"
51 Barry,Tim TIP Tipperary Dan Morrissey 59'49"
52 O'Sullivan,Stephen MTL Meath Lee Strand Cycleways 1h00'21"
53 Bazayev,Assan KAZ Kazakhstan 1h00'28"
54 Horgan,John SKP Dublin Skip 1h02'25"
55 O'Donoghue,Edward USH Dublin Usher Insulations 1h04'05"
56 Belsham,Christopher EPB England primera-bournemouth 1h06'25"
57 Peppard,John IR Dublin Iarnród Eireann 1h08'17"
58 Beck,Josh SPR USA Team Sportsbook.com 1h13'42"
59 Kenneally,Brian TIP Tipperary Dan Morrissey 1h14'47"
60 Perera,Lawrence SPR USA Team Sportsbook.com 1h15'36"
61 Melville,Matt CTD Cambridge Team Dataphonics 1h17'11"
62 Svatek,Matt SPR USA Team Sportsbook.com 1h18'39"
63 Poad,Jaaron TDU Australia Team Down Under 1h19'34"
64 Kelly,Simon MYO Mayo Galway Bay 1h23'38"
65 McDonald,Scott ORW Dublin Orwell 1h24'04"
66 McMahon,Kieran IR Dublin Iarnród Eireann 1h27'21"
67 Barras,Tom TDU Australia Team Down Under 1h31'29"
68 Kenwright,Nick BIC USA Bici Imports-CSN-Rudy Proj 1h33'44"
69 Stewart,Brian USH Dublin Usher Insulations 1h33'46"
70 Sheppard,Paul STN Wales Stena Line 1h39'57"
71 Briggs,Graham LAN Lancaster Life Repair Group 1h43'04"
72 Gleeson,Vincent IRL Ireland - Irish Sports Council 1h48'28"
73 Roche,Laurence KNT Kildare North 1h48'56"
74 Finnegan,Derek MTD Meath Donnelly Avonmore 1h49'30"
75 Brady,Tony MTD Meath Donnelly Avonmore 1h51'30"
76 Hoy,Justin SUR Surrey Team gbcycles.co.uk 1h53'41"
77 Crowley,Aidan MTL Meath Lee Strand Cycleways 1h55'03"
78 Hodges Myerson,Adam SPR USA Team Sportsbook.com 1h56'54"
79 Hedderman,Adrian SKP Dublin Skip 1h57'59"
80 Greenwood,Ben LAN Lancaster Life Repair Group 1h58'32"
81 McLeavey,Mark SKP Dublin Skip 1h59'44"
82 Sweetman,Craig MTD Meath Donnelly Avonmore 2h00'34"
83 Yates,Matthew TDU Australia Team Down Under 2h00'35"
84 Kelly,Feargal WIC Wicklow Sahara 2h08'08"
85 O'Leary,Frank USH Dublin Usher Insulations 2h09'05"
86 Bracken,Colm IR Dublin Iarnród Eireann 2h11'43"
87 Hillard,John Paul SKP Dublin Skip 2h22'44"
88 Marrey,Padraig MYO Mayo Galway Bay 2h26'37"
89 Devins,Michael MYO Mayo Galway Bay 2h32'21"
90 Sheehan,Gary KNT Kildare North 2h51'16"
91 McCormack,Fintan KNB Kildare Newbridge 3h07'23"
92 Lynch,Brian ORW Dublin Orwell 3h10'13"
93 Harris,Brian WIC Wicklow Sahara 3h11'50"
94 Tansey,David ORW Dublin Orwell 3h16'18"
95 Reade,Aidan MYO Mayo Galway Bay 3h18'13"
96 O'Sullivan,Keith WIC Wicklow Sahara 3h30'17"
97 Finn,Eamon ORW Dublin Orwell 3h36'02"
98 Adams,Isaiah BIC USA Bici Imports-CSN-Rudy Proj 4h31'45"
99 Wall,John KNT Kildare North 4h32'24"
100 Keane,Cathal MYO Mayo Galway Bay 4h46'52"
101 Caddow,Martin ORW Dublin Orwell 4h53'08"
102 Furley,Sean LON London Irish Team Sdeals/Jbc 5h25'32"