The second stage started in the gounds of the beautiful Westport County Hotel were the staff and management went out of their way to make the race entourage welcome, the Hotel Manager officially started the stage.
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The race heads west towards Croagh Patrick
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Local Mayoman Padraig Marrey watches the race pass
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The pace was high
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Several attempts by riders to break away were unsuccessful
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Two riders have a small lead passing through Louisbourgh
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More rider try to get clear, but the bunch reels them in after a few kms
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And again there are more attempts to get clear.
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The Yellow jersey is close to the front of the bunch
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Heading to Hillary Harbour the fast pace continues
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Fantastic scenery in this part Ireland
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Even though the race was flat out, this guy Joren Segers (Hand in Hand Baal) rode off the front and opened up a gap of nearly 3 minutes, he took all three KOM primes
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The bunch chasing through Leenane
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There were several sheep on the roads heading for the KOM primes
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The fast pace continued across the KOM's in pursuit of the lone leader
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With about 30k remaining Joren Segers was still clear with over 1 minute
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Lawrence Brooking (North of England) jumped clear of the bunch and chased after the leader
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Next to leave the bunch was Louis Meintjes (South Africa)
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Brooking joined up with a tired Segers and led with a gap of around 1 minute 30 seconds with 20km to go
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At 15km to go two more riders Meintjes and Matt Bailey (BCF WestMidlands) were in pursuit of the two leaders
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The two got up to the lone leader Brooking, at 12km to go Segers had blown
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At the finish the young South African Louis Meintjes took the stage win ahead of UK riders Matt Bailey and Lawrence Brooking
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The bunch finishing 44 seconds behind
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The top three on the stage were all first year juniors
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A delighted Matt Bailey moves into the Yellow jersey
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Donnelly Junior Tour - Westport) 105kms.
1 L. Meintjes (South Africa), 2hrs.41mins.57secs;
2 M. Bailey (BCF WestMidlands), same time;
3 L. Brooking North of England (North of England0 st;
4 P. Williams (Stena Ireland) @44secs;
5 R. Marshall (VC Lincoln), @st;
6 S. Doona (Ireland Development), st.
Overall after two stages:
1 M. Bailey, 2.49.43;
2 L. Brooking, @4secs;
3 L. Meinjtes, @7secs;
4 D. Schils(Lotto Olympia Interbike), @33 secs;
5 J. Cooper (BCF Westmidlands), @40secs;
6 R. Weenekes (WV Eemland Holland), @42 secs.
Points: Matt Bailey,
Mountains: Joren Segers (Hand in Hand Baal).