M.DONNELLY JUNIOR TOUR 2002 |
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By Shane Stokes Aug 11 <See Some Pictures Here> Nicolas Roche today moved into the history books when he became only the fourth rider in 25 years to lead the M. Donnelly Junior Tour from start to finish. Nicolas, the son of 1987 Tour de France winner Stephen Roche, rode strongly during the stage to secure his hold on the mountains jersey and, more importantly, finished safely in the main bunch to make sure of the yellow.
Roche took the race lead in the opening prologue and fortified his grip on the race with a dominant display on stage 2. Echoing his father’s time trialling ability, the 18 year old broke clear with 30 miles remaining and opened up a solid lead on the bunch behind. He reached the finish line 30 seconds clear of the next rider home and then rode strongly for the remainder of the week to make sure of a fine win. In doing so, he has joined Aidan Duff, Kieran Page and former Junior world champion Mark Scanlon in the illustrious group of riders to lead the difficult international race from start to finish. ‘It is great to take this race as it is one of my best wins’, Roche said at the finish. ‘It is my second stage race victory – I took the Manchester Youth Tour as an under 16. Winning the Junior Tour means a lot to me, it is a big race and had a strong field.’ Roche will line out with the Irish national squad in the Junior Tour of Wales in two weeks time, and will then return to his home near Nice to build up for the World Junior Championships in Belgium in October.
Grant Thornton King of the Mountains Primes: Prime 1: Roche (Team Stephen Roche); 2, O’Brien; 3, A. Esposito (Team Stephen Roche) Prime 2: 1, Elfares; 2, D. Bellemakers (Tempo BMV Veldhoven); 3, Roche Prime 3: Rudi Van Houts (Tempo BMV Veldhoven A); 2, Roche; 3, M. M. Deboer Team: 1, North West Division; 2, Tempo BMV Veldhoven; 3, VC La Pomme Final General Classification (sponsored by Eurotrek Raleigh); 1, Roche 11 hours 1 minute 36 secs; 2, Van Leijen at 41 secs; 3, T. Hardwick at 48 secs; 4, Van Houts same time; 5, Elfares at 50 secs; 6, L. Heimans (District Noord Holland) at 52 secs; 7, O’Brien at 54 secs; 8, A. Murphy (Scotland) at 58 secs; 9, A. Esposito (Stephen Roche team) at 1 min 2 secs; 10, S. Lampier (Team South West) same time Eurotrek Raleigh points classification: 1, Van Leijen 73 points; 2, Roche 59 points; 3, Elfares 51 points Grant Thornton mountains classification: 1, Roche; 2, Van Houts; 3, O’Brien Terry Dolan young rider classification: 1, Hardwick; 2, Elfares; 3, Heimans
WELSHMAN ROACH WINS STAGE 5 OF M DONNELLY JUNIOR TOUR, NICOLAS ROCHE POISED TO WIN: By Shane Stokes Aug 10 <See Some Pictures Here> Talented eighteen-year old cyclist Nicolas Roche today moved to within one stage of winning the M. Donnelly Junior Tour when he successfully defended the lead on the penultimate day of the race. With just tomorrow’s circuit race remaining, the French-based Irishman looks set to join Aidan Duff, Mark Scanlon and Kieran Page as the only riders in the event’s 25 year history to lead the race from start to finish.
The aggressive finish was a fitting end to a stage which was characterised by relentless attacking from the off. Seeking to test the legs of his main rivals, Nicolas Roche threw down the gauntlet after just 8 miles and raced clear on the wide, sweeping dual carriageways towards Carrick on Suir. The race leader quickly opened a five second gap on the main bunch, but sat up and waved his arms in exasperation as some of the Stena-Ireland team closed him down. The gesture stemmed from Roche’s complaint that the national squad had been too quick to chase him all week, thus making things easy for the Dutch riders that he felt had been too willing to follow wheels. ‘The Irish team are straight onto me every time I move – they should be leaving it to the Dutch to do some of the work’, he said afterwards. Roche tried again to go clear 2 miles later and got a gap, but was chased down by four riders, including Páidí O’Brien of the Stena Ireland team. Shortly afterwards, the yellow jersey was forced to stop with a broken spoke and, surprisingly, O’Brien dropped back to help his main rival back on. The action prompted complaints of collusion after the stage, but most observers believed that the gesture was a sporting one, and which looked to have been acknowledged when Roche did not sprint for the top of the KOM prime 7 miles later. First to the top was Dutch rider Rudi Van Houts, who had bolted from the main field before the climb, and opened up a short-lived lead. The Tempo BMV Veldhoven rider tried again shortly afterwards, and O’Brien too attempted to go clear, but the main field closed down every attack.
The escapees worked well together until three miles to go, then the focus turned to attacking each other for the win. Heimans and Roach forged clear inside the final mile to open a four second lead, with the latter succeeding in dropping the Dutchman on an uphill drag shortly afterwards. But it was the British national champion Wilson who looked to have the upper hand when he bridged across to the leader, only to go to the front too early and be easily outsprinted to the line. Forty-seven seconds later Roche reached the finish as part of the main bunch, having been forced to chase hard with his two team-mates in order to limit the gains of the escapees and thus preserve his lead overall. In addition to retaining his yellow jersey, Roche remains in pole position in the lead of the King of the Mountains classification. However Stena Ireland rider Páidí O’Brien has moved to within one point of this total after his second place on the KOH prime. The outcome of this contest will be decided over three climbs tomorrow.
‘I had a go in the first few miles of the stage as I wanted to put pressure on the other teams and see how the Irish team would react. I was a bit annoyed that they led the chase rather than letting the Dutch riders work. I broke a spoke a few miles later when we were going through Carrick On Suir…I was a bit worried as the bunch was lined out at the time as Páidí was attacking. My team-mates came back for me, then I got a nice surprise to see that Páidí was also hanging back. It was very nice of him to do that.’ ‘Hopefully everything will go well tomorrow. This is a good race and would be an very important win for me.’ The 2002 M. Donnelly Junior Tour concludes tomorrow with a 44 mile circuit race, starting at the Waterford Crystal Sports and Leisure Centre and taking in three laps of a rolling course. Additional quotes:Páidí O’Brien (Stena Ireland) 8th overall, 2nd in the Grant Thornton King of the Mountains classificiation: ‘I tried to close the gap today in the mountains competition so that I can go for it tomorrow. There was only one prime today but three are left, so I have a chance.’ On waiting for Nicolas Roche: ‘I was attacking at the time when somebody came up to me and said that Nicolas had to stop. I thought “dammit”, I don’t want to be the guy attacking the yellow jersey when he is having a problem with his bike, so I went back and waited for him to get back up.’ Martin Donnelly, race sponsor: ‘I really enjoy cycling, I do some myself but just some leisure stuff. I always admired cyclists such as Kelly and Roche and am delighted to be in a position to sponsor cycling and the Junior Tour. I hope to do so for the next few years as it really is a great race.’ Mel Sutcliffe (Eurotrek/Raleigh Ireland), sponsor of the yellow and blue points jersey: ‘We are delighted to be associated with the race as it is very important for Irish cycling. It is great to see the effort put in by everyone concerned – the riders, the race organisers and everyone else here with the event. That is what makes it so special’. M Donnelly Junior Tour stage 6: 1, Geraint Thomas (Wales) 43 miles in 1 hour 42 mins 26 secs; 2, J. Van Leijen (Tempo BMV Veldhoven A) at 2 secs; 3, M. Cavandish (North West Division); 4, S. Roach (Wales); 5, P. O’Brien (Stena Ireland); 6, P. Johnston (Team South West); 7, J. Elfares (VC La Pomme); 8, M. M. Deboer (District Noord Holland) Grant Thornton King of the Mountains Primes: Prime 1: Roche (Team Stephen Roche); 2, O’Brien; 3, A. Esposito (Team Stephen Roche) Prime 2: 1, Elfares; 2, D. Bellemakers (Tempo BMV Veldhoven); 3, Roche Prime 3: Rudi Van Houts (Tempo BMV Veldhoven A); 2, Roche; 3, M. M. Deboer Team: 1, North West Division; 2, Tempo BMV Veldhoven; 3, VC La Pomme Final General Classification (sponsored by Eurotrek Raleigh); 1, Roche 11 hours 1 minute 36 secs; 2, Van Leijen at 41 secs; 3, T. Hardwick at 48 secs; 4, Van Houts same time; 5, Elfares at 50 secs; 6, L. Heimans (District Noord Holland) at 52 secs; 7, O’Brien at 54 secs; 8, A. Murphy (Scotland) at 58 secs; 9, A. Esposito (Stephen Roche team) at 1 min 2 secs; 10, S. Lampier (Team South West) same time Eurotrek Raleigh points classification: 1, Van Leijen 73 points; 2, Roche 59 points; 3, Elfares 51 points Grant Thornton mountains classification: 1, Roche; 2, Van Houts; 3, O’Brien Terry Dolan young rider classification: 1, Hardwick; 2, Elfares; 3, Heimans THIRD STAGE WIN FOR STEPHEN ROCHE TEAM IN M DONNELLY JUNIOR TOUR: By Shane Stokes Aug 9 <See Some Pictures Here>
Esposito, fourth overall this morning and leader of the best first-year junior competition, answered an attack by O’Brien on a climb 8 miles into today’s hilly 52 mile stage and went clear, with the two riders joining forces to open up a maximum lead of 50 seconds. The leading duo worked well together to maintain their lead on the chasing peloton, sharing the mountain primes between them rather than sprinting it out for the cash prizes, and staying out front alone for 30 miles. Three riders finally succeed in catching them on the third of four laps; Wim Botman (District Noord Holland), Paul Brady (Ulster Cycling Federation) and Rudi Van Houts (Tempo BMV Veldhoven) bridged the gap and quickly set about working to maintain their lead. Van Houts then went clear on the steep climb of Seskin hill and opened a 45 second gap, while Roche jumped strongly from the chasing bunch and raced across to the other leaders. With Van Houts dangling out front, the yellow jersey tried several times to get away and join up with the Dutchman. Marked each time, he eventually got across with third placed Joost Van Leijen (Tempo BMV Veldhoven) and the Scot Andrew Murphy but this quartet were scooped up by seven others on the final run in to the finish. Roche, O’Brien and Botman all tried to slip away inside the final two miles but the scene was set for a group sprint. Esposito timed his move to perfection, screaming around the two ninety-degree corners just before the line and taking a fine victory, leading home fellow Frenchman Julien Elfares (VC La Pomme) and Van Leijen.
‘Today was a hard stage, with a difficult course but that was good for making a selection. I tend to feel better as a race goes on and so had a bit left for the finish. My plan now is to help Nicolas to keep his yellow jersey and win this race overall.’ ‘The team has now won three out of four stages’, said a happy Roche. ‘Normally during the year we are rivals, racing on different teams in France, but we are working well together this week. Anthony is a very strong rider and did a great ride today, being clear with Paídí (O’Brien) for most of the stage and then taking the sprint. He has been on the French national team twice already this year so is really going well.’ Roche confessed to feeling a bit fatigued after yesterday’s 28 mile solo stage-winning effort, but was happy with how things went. ‘I was a bit stiff today but had no problems during the stage. I felt very good on Seskin Hill and although my gears were slipping a bit, was able to get away from the others in the bunch. There are just two days left now…..I have forty seconds but that is not very much if I crash or puncture. Hopefully things continue to go well and I can stay out of trouble.’ Roche continues as the holder of the yellow, blue (points) and king of the mountains jerseys, although O’Brien is doing his utmost to relieve him of the latter. ‘I had a go early on today as I wanted to try to get some points back on Nicolas’, he said. ‘I wasn’t very confident of beating him if we got to the bottom of Seskin Hill together, so I decided to have a go early on. I felt good, too, and thought I would see how he would react if the pressure was on earlier in the stage.’ ‘To tell you the truth, I am a bit frustrated by the Dutch riders….they are riding pretty negatively, sitting on wheels and leaving it up to us. If Nicolas goes clear they wait for us to chase, if I go clear they look to Nicolas’ team. Maybe they are saving themselves for the last two days, but it is pretty frustrating.’ The M. Donnelly Junior Tour continues tomorrow with a 61 mile road race which starts, and finishes, in Waterford. M. Donnelly Junior Tour, stage 4 in Carrick On Suir (stage sponsored by Wall’s Pub): 1, Anthony Esposito (Team Stephen Roche) 52 miles in 2 hours 9 mins 22 secs; 2, J. Elfares (VC La Pomme); 3, J. Van Leijen (Tempo BMV Veldhoven); 4, P. O’Brien (Stena Ireland); 5, R. Van Houts (Tempo BMV Veldhoven); 6, N. Roche (Team Stephen Roche) all same time Primes (sponsored by Liam Walker): Prime 1: O’Brien; 2: O’Brien; 3, Esposito; 4: O’Brien King of the Hills at Seskin Hill: 1, Van Houts; 2, O’Brien; 3, Esposito; 4, Roche; 5, T. Hardwick (Stena Ireland) Eurotrek Raleigh Overall Classification: 1, Roche 6 hours 55 mins 15 secs; 2, Van Leijen at 41 secs; 3, Esposito at 42 secs; 4, T. Hardwick (Stena Ireland) at 48 secs; 5, Van Houts, same time; 6, Elfares at 50 secs Eurotrek Raleigh Points Classification: Roche Grant Thornton King of the Mountains: Roche Terry Dolan best first year Junior: Esposito
IMPRESSIVE ROCHE TAKES THIRD STAGE IN M DONNELLY JUNIOR TOUR By Shane Stokes Aug 8 <See Some Pictures Here>
Prompted by his frustration with the close marking by the Stena Ireland team, Roche’s aggressive, audacious move caused panic amongst the contenders behind. Second-placed Joost Van Leijen gave his all to close the gap after Roche’s attack but was unable to get back on terms, dropping back to a chasing group which included two of his Tempo BMV Veldhoven team-mates. Also present in this pack were third-placed Theo Hardwick, yesterday’s stage winner Páidí O’Brien and Andrew McQuaid, all of the Stena Ireland team, yet their pooled effort was not enough to stop Roche opening up a two minute advantage. The talented Irishman rode strongly toward the finish before the buffeting wind and tough drags finally started taking their toll. In the final ten miles the group behind started to reduce his lead, and with three miles to go three riders slipped clear and closed to within thirty seconds by the line. Second on the stage was Dutchman Dirk Bellemakers (Tempo BMV Veldhoven A), with Roche’s team-mate Anthony Esposito and Irishman Miceal Concannon (Killorglin CC) next home. The remainder of the chasing group crossed the line ten seconds later, ensuring that Van Leijen slipped to third, 41 seconds behind the yellow jersey. His team-mate Bellemakers is now Roche’s closest challenger. ‘I didn’t realise how far it was to the finish and went from too far out’, said the drenched Irish rider afterwards. ‘The last few miles were quite hard, with those drags and the strong wind. I am glad to win the stage but a little disappointed…it is frustrating to work so hard and yet only get thirty seconds. At least I have extended my lead in the race.’ ‘I was really frustrated during the stage as the Irish riders were marking me really closely. Okay, they are trying to take the jersey as well, but why not leave it to the Dutch riders to do some of the work? Every time I moved there was an Irish guy right on my wheel…it made me even more determined to get away from them.’ Roche had previously said that he would like to (temporarily) give away the yellow jersey in order to take pressure off his team. However he showed a change in attitude today, riding aggressively and stating after the race that he now wanted to remain at the head of affairs. ‘I found out yesterday that only three riders have ever led the race from start to finish (Aidan Duff, Mark Scanlon and Kieran Page). I want to make sure that I am the fourth, so I will keep attacking and trying to take more time.’ Roche now leads overall by forty one seconds and has taken the blue points jersey and the lead in the the King of the Mountains competiton. The M. Donnelly Junior Tour continues tomorrow with a 56 mile race based around Carrick on Suir, taking in Sean Kelly's old training climb Seskin Hill. M. Donnelly Junior Tour, stage 3: 1, Nicolas Roche (Team Stephen Roche) 58 miles in 2 hours 23 mins 32 secs; 2, D. Bellemakers (Tempo BMV Veldhoven A) at 30 secs; 3, A. Esposito (Team Stephen Roche); 4, M. Concannon (Killorglin CC) both same time; 5, G. Thomas (Wales) at 40 secs; 6, J. Van Leijen (Tempo BMV Veldhoven A); 7, L. Heimans (District Noord Holland); 8, J. Elfares (VC La Pomme) all same time Mountains: KOH prime 1: 1, Roche; 2, S. Lampier (Wales); 3, A. Murphy (Scotland); 4, P. O’Brien (Stena Ireland); 5, R. Van Houts (Tempo BMV Veldhoven A) KOH 2: 1, J. Elfares (VC La Pomme); 2, A. Esposito (Stephen Roche Team); 3, F. Duncan (UCF); 4, Van Houts KOH 3: 1, Roche; 2, Elfares: 3, O’Brien; 4, Lampier Best team: 1, Team Stephen Roche; 2, Tempo BMV Veldhoven; 3, District Noord Holland Overall Classification: 1, Roche 4 hours 45 mins 53 secs; 2, Bellemakers at 37 secs; 3, Van Leijen at 41 secs; 4, Esposito at 42 secs; 5, T. Hardwick (Stena Ireland) at 46 secs; 6, L. Heimans (District Noord Holland) same time Points: 1, Roche 43 points; 2, Van Houts 38 points; 3, Bellemakers 36 points King of the Mountains: 1, Roche 30 points; 2, O’Brien 23 points; 3, Lampier 18 points Team: 1, Team Stephen Roche; 2, Tempo BMV Veldhoven; 3, Stena Ireland O’BRIEN TAKES STAGE 2 OF M DONNELLY JUNIOR TOUR OF IRELAND By Shane Stokes Aug 7 <See Some Pictures Here>
The result ensures that Stephen Roche’s son Nicolas retains the yellow jersey he took in yesterday’s prologue time trial in Dunmore East, although not without a scare today. Van Leijen, who placed a close second yesterday, went clear early in the undulating stage and opened up a lead of over a minute to become race leader on the road. However despite his and team-mate Rudi Van Houts’ best efforts, their committed ride was not enough to hold off the late charge of the main bunch, who recaptured them with just three miles remaining. Roche tried to go clear himself inside the final mile but was reeled in, paving the way for O’Brien’s finishing burst and a brave second place by Van Leijen.
Next home was Roche, who rode strongly during the stage and held onto a jersey he was prepared to give away. ‘I would have preferred if another rider had managed to take it by a few seconds and had it for the next few days’, he admitted afterwards. ‘It was very hard to defend the lead today as everyone was expecting me to do all the riding. There were a few times when I got clear and Irish riders were on my wheel; we had a gap and they could have ridden for the stage, but they wouldn’t do any work and we were brought back.’ Competing with just two others on the Stephen Roche team, he was lucky to profit from rivalry between the two squads from the Netherlands. ‘The other Dutch team (District Noord Holland) came up to me during the race and said that they would ride to bring back the two up front – I wasn’t sure why they were going to do that, but I wasn’t complaining! My two team-mates were very tired and one of them crashed twice, so it was good that others would ride’. ‘I felt very strong during the stage, good on the hills too, and had a go near the finish. I didn’t actually know where the line was, so was caught out, but still had enough left for the sprint.’ The M. Donnelly Junior Tour continues tomorrow with a 57 mile stage from Waterford to Thomastown and Mullinvat, before finishing once again in Waterford. The race continues until Sunday. M. Donnelly Junior Tour stage 2, Waterford – Waterford (sponsored by Irish Veteran Cycling Association): 1, Páidí O’Brien (Stena Ireland) 57 miles in 2 hours 18 mins 41 secs; 2, J. Van Leijen (Tempo BMV Veldhoven A, Netherlands); 3, N. Roche (Team Stephen Roche, France); 4, P. Johnston (Team South West, England); 5, D. Bellemakers (Tempo BMV Veldhoven A, Netherlands); 6, S. Roach (Wales); 7, T. Hardwick (Stena Ireland); 8, S. Wilson (North West Division) all same time Primes: KOH at Tramore: 1, O’Brien; 2, A. Murphy (Scotland); 3, R. Partridge (Wales). KOH at Annstown: 1, Roche; 2, O’Brien; 3, Hardwick. KOH at The Pike: 1, Van Leijen; 2, Van Houts; 3, S. Lampier (Team South West); 4, L. Heimans (District Noord Holland) Overall classification (sponsored by Raleigh-Eurotrek): 1, Nicolas Roche (Team Stephen Roche) 2 hours 22 mins 21 secs; 2, J. Van Leijen (Tempo BMV Veldhoven, Netherlands), at 1 sec; 3, T. Hardwick (Stena Ireland) at 6 secs; 4, L Heimans (District Noord Holland) same time; 5, D. Bellemakers (Tempo BMV Veldhoven A, Netherlands) at 7 secs; 6, R. Van Houts (Tempo BMV Veldhoven, Netherlands) at 8 secs; 7, R. Connor (Ballymena) at 9 secs; 8, J. Elfares (VC La Pomme, France) at 10 secs Grant Thornton Mountains classification: 1, O’Brien 12 points; 2, Van Houts 10 points; 3, Roche 9 points; Van Leijen 9 points Raleigh-Eurotrek Points competition: 1, Roche 28 points; 2, Van Leijen 28 points; 3, Hardwick 22 points Terry Dolan First-Year Junior competition: Theo Hardwick (Stena Ireland) ROCHE TAKES FIRST YELLOW JERSEY By Shane Stokes Aug 6 <See Some Pictures Here>
Third place went to Theo Hardwick of the Stena Ireland national team, who clocked a fine time of 3 minutes 46.41 seconds and took an early lead in the first year junior classification. Roche finished fourth in the race last year and given his form this season, must be considered one of the favourites to take the final yellow jersey. Today’s win marked his fourth of the season, with victories in two international time trials and a criterium already on his CV for 2002. ‘I was hoping to do well in this time trial’, he said afterwards. ‘I won a big mountain time trial two weeks ago and when I saw the course, I knew I had a chance. I would love to bring the yellow jersey back home at the end of the week, but think that I will not try to hold it tomorrow. I have just one second over the next rider and it would be too difficult for my team to control the race all week, so I will let it go and try to get it back before the race ends on Sunday.’ ‘It would be great to win this race. I have had about a million second places this year so I want to try to get more first places…I have been going well but just not got that many victories.’ The M. Donnelly Junior Tour continues tomorrow with a hilly 57 mile road race starting and finishing in Waterford. Stage 1, prologue time trial in Dunmore East: 1, Nicolas Roche (Team Stephen Roche - France) 1.7 mile time trial in 3 mins 40.38 secs; 2, J. Van Leijen (Tempo BMV Veldhoven A – Netherlands) 3 mins 41.98 secs; 3, T. Hardwick (Stena Ireland) 3 mins 46.41 secs O’BRIEN LEADS IRISH CHALLENGE IN M DONNELLY JUNIOR TOUR By Shane Stokes Aug 5
National road race silver medallist Nicolas Roche is returning after his fine fourth place last year, but will compete in the race on the French Stephen Roche team. The VC La Pomme squad, victorious last year with Philippe Tesson, have also travelled from the South of France, and there are other strong foreign entries from the Netherlands, Scotland, Wales and England. Backed by Meath businessman Martin Donnelly, the Junior Tour has moved this year from the Dublin area to the South-East of Ireland. The sponsorship has enabled the contest to revert back to a series of longer mid-day races, following several editions characterised by evening stages. 'Martin's support is really important for the race, and for the sport in general', said co-organiser Phil Cassidy. 'He has been really supportative of cycling this year and is delighted with the response he is getting. His backing of the Junior Tour is enabling the race to continue and develop, and so we are really grateful for his support.' The M Donnelly Junior Tour begins tomorrow with a 1.7 mile prologue time trial in Dunmore East and continues, until Sunday, with five road stages.
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ROCHE
WINS M DONNELLY JUNIOR TOUR:
Today’s
sixth stage was won by Welshman Geraint Thomas, who broke clear inside the final
1 kilometre rise to the finish and held off the pursuit of the main bunch. Stena
Ireland rider Páidí O’Brien was best of the home riders in 5th place on the
stage, while Roche crossed the line arms aloft in 13th. O’Brien’s team mate
Theo Hardwick also finished in the main bunch to end the race 3rd overall and
win the first year junior classification.
M
Donnelly Junior Tour stage 6: 1, Geraint Thomas (Wales) 43 miles in 1
hour 42 mins 26 secs; 2, J. Van Leijen (Tempo BMV Veldhoven A) at 2 secs; 3, M.
Cavandish (North West Division); 4, S. Roach (Wales); 5, P. O’Brien (Stena
Ireland); 6, P. Johnston (Team South West); 7, J. Elfares (VC La Pomme); 8, M.
M. Deboer (District Noord Holland)
Today’s fifth leg of the M. Donnelly Junior Tour
was won by his namesake Steven Roach of Wales, who went clear as part of a
seven-man group in the closing stages of the fast, flat 61 mile race.
Collaborating to open up a decisive lead over the main bunch, the septet raced
towards the finish outside Waterford, where Roach went clear with Steffan Wilson
of the North West Division team and outsprinted the British national junior
champion in the uphill dash to the line.
The
elastic finally snapped 13 miles from the finish when Jean Baptiste Combes (VC
La Pomme) sparked off a seven man breakaway. With District Noord Holland rider
Levi Heimans the highest placed over a minute and a half back, Roche and his
team had room for manoeuvre and the hard-working septet opened a stage-winning
lead.
‘I am quite tired after riding so hard today’,
stated Roche afterwards. ‘Myself and my team-mates had to chase really hard
near the finish as no other team would ride when that break went clear. It was a
bit frustrating that it was left up to us, but we have just one stage left to
get through and then we can have a good rest.’
Following
two victories by race leader Nicolas Roche, the French-based Stephen Roche team
continued their winning ways today when they took their third stage win of the
M. Donnelly Junior Tour into Carrick on Suir. First year junior Anthony Esposito
outsprinted ten others in a twisting, technical dash to the line, showing great
reserves of strength after being clear in a two-man breakaway for much of the
stage with Stena Ireland rider Páidí O’Brien.
‘This
is the first time I have won a race like this’, said a delighted Esposito
afterwards. ‘Normally to do it I have to finish alone as I am not really a
sprinter, but I knew that if I was first or second around the final corner I
would have a great chance of winning.’
Race leader Nicolas Roche (Team Stephen Roche)
today took his second stage win in the M. Donnelly Junior Tour and extended his
advantage over his main challengers in the contest. Roche went clear 30 miles
into the waterlogged 58 mile stage and time-trialled impressively to the finish,
taking a chunk of points in the King of the Mountains competition and dealing a
big psychological blow to this rivals.
Páidí
O’Brien of the Stena Ireland national team won today’s second stage of the
M. Donnelly Junior Tour, unleashing a burst of speed in the final 200 metres
which carried him to a fine stage win in the event. O’Brien outpaced Dutch
rider Joost Van Leijen (Tempo BMV Veldhoven A – Netherlands), race leader
Nicolas Roche (Team Stephen Roche - France) and the rest of the field at the end
of the 57 mile leg into Waterford, comfortably winning the mass bunch sprint.
‘It
was a tough day today, very fast’, said O’Brien afterwards. ‘Nicolas was
very strong. I was a bit worried when the two Dutch riders got that big gap so I
asked my team-mates Cian Power and Andrew McQuaid to chase and they helped to
bring it back. I got tangled up in some bikes after a crash and was delayed, but
Andrew came back and helped me to get back up before the finish’.
There was a well-known name at the head of the
leaderboard of the M Donnelly Junior Tour this evening, when Nicolas Roche took
the opening prologue of the 6 day race in Dunmore East. The son of the Tour de
France winner Stephen Roche, Nicolas displayed signs of the same time trial
prowess which characterised his father’s career when he covered the hilly 1.7
mile time trial course in an impressive time of 3 minutes 40.38 seconds. This
was over a second faster than that recorded by Dutch rider Joost Van Leijen of
the Tempo BMV Veldhoven A team.
Irish
junior road race champion Páidí O’Brien will lead the home challenge in the
new-look M. Donnelly Junior Tour, which begins tomorrow evening (Tuesday) in
Dunmore East. Backed by his Stena Ireland team-mates Theo Hardwick, Andrew
McQuaid and Cian Power, O’Brien comes into the race after an impressive early
season and is probably the best prospect for a Irish win, although the number of
foreign teams competing makes that a tough target to chase.