An Post Rás – Stage Five for Irish Team


Stage five of the An Post Rás was a tough, decisive stage, with aggressive riding from the Irish team. With the riders moving from Co. Kerry to Co. Cork the race profile lent itself to a lot of attacks, with many teams putting pressure on the yellow jersey. Once again Ronan McLaughlin paid a key part, making it into the main break of the day, and Mark Downey raced well to finish in 9th place. Eddie Dunbar is still 19 seconds off the lead, lying in 14th overall. Out of the Irish riders Damien Shaw (An Post Chain Reaction) is faring best in GC, sitting in 3rd place, and on the stage Eoin Morton (UCD Fitz Cycles) added a 3rd place to the win on Monday, with Conor Dunne and Damien Shaw also in the top ten.


Irish Team Manager David McCann feels that while there is not a big shake up in the GC and not a lot has changed, it was a very decisive stage; “It was a really aggressive day from a lot of people, putting pressure on the yellow jersey. Ronan has been riding very smart this week, being in the right place at the right time. He made it to the front group, but the yellow jersey worked hard to defend his overall lead. Today was a hard hilly day; we were attacking, other teams were attacking, and everyone will be a bit more tired tomorrow and the next day. There’s not a big shake up in GC but it was a hard day’s racing. Mark did a really good ride today, he got a top ten! He has really good legs; I’m really pleased for him.”


McCann notes how the team are getting on well off the bike, and are riding well together; “The boys are riding well together, and it’s good craic off the bike, everyone is getting on well, so it helps. After the race it is time to get as much rest as possible for the next day. They get a decent massage and a good meal, it’s all about relaxing.”


Stage six will see the riders cover 159.1km, moving from Clonakilty, Co. Cork to Dungarvan, Co. Waterford.


This is the first time that Ireland has entered a team in the Rás since 2011, and this team is a primarily U23 team, with one experienced senior team captain. Multiple Olympian David McCann is the team manager for the prestigious 8 day UCI stage race.


More about the TEAM HERE


More about the STAGE HERE and FULL RESULTS HERE


TEAM:


Ronan McLaughlin


Edward Dunbar


Matthew Teggart


Mark Downey


Chris McGlinchey