Tour of Ireland Stage - Man On The Street Report
Written by: Myles Mc Corry NUJ
Everyone was delighted that the Conor pass loomed today on stage four of the Tour of Ireland (TOI) today. Everyone bar Magnus Backsted (Garmin). Cavendish was “said” to be delighted to lose the jersey and the pressure. Julian Dean was definitely happy to see the 6 km climb approach; with its top hidden by famous soft, Irish clouds.
This morning at the start in Limerick, the council workers were putting out hundreds of flower pots to beautify the riverbank, but no one noticed, as the few hundred spectators that gathered round only wanted a picture of the yellow jersey. Cyclists and ‘lay’ people held out cameras and bits of paper and Mark Cavendish signed them all, patiently. He had been getting a bad wrap for being arrogant. Never seen it. All week, he has had time and words for everyone. Courteous to team staff and public alike. Talented and manners. Good combination for such a young superstar.
In the first hour of hard racing there was numerous attacks, Roger Akien (Ireland) being most active. Until Williams (Pinnerallo), Sulzberger (South Australia) were brave enough to follow big Magnus as he launched his 93kgs off the front of a charging peleton. The three fought hard to get one minute and then before the 70 km mark they had over three minutes. The big Swede draped his hands over the front of the bars and ate up the road. Every time one of the other two went to the front , which wasn’t often and out of embarrassment, the speed visible slowed. This was much in evidence when he punctured and Williams simply stopped pedaling, until the change was made. With only 50 km to go they hit the bottom of the Conor pass climb, and Magnus recalled Newton’s second law of motion and gravity slowed the tank of a man leaving the bunch to close rapidly. Driven by David Miller, the Garmin rider tried, as yesterday to split the bunch hoping that his team sprinted Julian Dean would be able to drop the yellow jersey. And by the summit, won by David George (Energade) the plan had worked. 20 riders forged a gap of two minutes in the run in to the finish in the tourist trap if Dingle/An Dangle.
The gallop hadn’t the organization of the previous days and with the top 50 riders within 30 seconds of the jersey, it was clear the winner would emerge from the sprint. All was to play with ten seconds bonus and no more than 2 riders from any team, it was open.
With the finishing straight-not so the bunch came round the bend and the biggest surprise was that Cav wasn’t at the front! But in a burst of lightening, the guy currently dominating the domestic racing scene in England, won by a clear three bike lengths. For Russell Downing it was his 14th win of the season, but the first as a Giant Killer!
The ten-second bonus puts Downing leading Julian Dean by 2 seconds, going into the final hard stage from Killarney to cork tomorrow. Over 20 climbs, short but hard tomorrow and there is a nervous smile about when anyone mentions St. Patrick’s hill.
m of 1 in 5. Frightening to look at never mind ride up. And the town council have been so generous coating it with fresh tarmac surface> I watched wheels spin on the locals getting a ride in a skiff of rain tonight. Should be mental if it does pour as predicted. The 27 sprockets are being fitted as I write!
Mark Cavendish At The Tour of Ireland
Tour Of Ireland Stage 4 Winner
Tour of Ireland Stage 4 Finish
Categories: Races, Readers Submissions, Tour of Ireland
Tags:
Cavendish gets beaten!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
who is myles mc corry?
who does he write for?