Dillon Byrne of the VCUK Velochampion team was the overall winner of the Kerry Group Ras Mumhan which finished up after four stages of classic racing on the roads of Kerry today. Byrne laid the foundations for overall victory on Saturday when he finished third on the stage from Listowel to Athea in Co. Limerick. Sunday’s stage as far as he was concerned was the cornerstone for outright victory when he finished eleventh. Most of the challengers slipped down the rankings because of the two mountain primes at Valentia Island and Coom an Easpaig.


Byrne who raced Pro Continental on the European Continent last season, now races on the UK circuit. He has been here in Ireland on a number of occasions and a couple of years ago was placed second on the final stage two years ago,l in the Kerry Group Ras Mumhan. “It was great to achieve victory. People have a habit of remembering only winners. I’ll be back to defend the title next year. This success has to be attributed to the team and the backroom staff and to my sponsors VCUK Velochampion,” said the Blackpool (England) native.


The final stage held over 114 kilometers within the confines of Killorglin/Beaufort area was won by Italian Matteo Ciagala representing the Aqua Blue Sport Academy. It was a tremendous finish to a well run event promoted by Killorglin CC on the steep climb up the town of Killorglin where the Puck Fair is held each year.


KERRY GROUP RAS MUMHAN



Stage four Killorglin/Beaufort/Killorglin-114kms



1-M.Ciagala (Aqua Blue Sport Academy), 2hrs.27mins.23secs;

2-T.Mazzone (Isle of Man) same time;

3-R. Maes (Killarney CC Pink), @2secs;

4-M. Dowling (Strata3 Velo), st;;

5-L. Camac (Fitz Cycles UCD), st;

6-D. Trulock (Stagg Cycles/Lucan), st.



FINAL OVERALL after four stages



1-D. Byrne (VCUK Velochampion), 11hrs.27mins.19secs;

2-T. Mazzone (Isle of Man), @12secs;

3-R. McLoughlin (Aqua Blue Sport), @16;

4-L. Mazzone (isle of Man), @22;

5-M. Garthwaite (Rhino Valley Race Team), same time;

6-M. Dowling (Strats3 Velo),st.



JERSIES


Overall-Byrne;


Mountains-E. Morton Fittz Cycles);


Points-T . Mazzone;


Under 23-L. Mazzone;


A2 Category-C. Kissane (Killarney CC Pink;


Team-Ireland \under