Dutchman Thomas Rabou (Team Altipower) proved best in the opening leg of the Credit Union Ras Mumhan in Kerry today, beating Brian Kenneally (MyHome.ie/Cycleways) and Andrew Roche (Murphy and Gunn/Newlyn Group) at the end of the fast, hilly 50 mile first stage.

Paídi O’Brien (Sean Kelly – ACLBB M. Donnelly Racing Team), German Ronnie Hartz (RennTeam FOCUS - SteinTherme) and another Dutchman, Ferdi Van Katwijk (Team Altipower), were the next riders home, finishing ten seconds behind Rabou’s winning time.

The first stage took the riders from Killorglin to Killarney, on through Castleisland, Ballyseedy, Farmers Bridge, over the category two ascent of Sliabh Mish and then back to Killorglin. The climb proved crucial, with nine riders going clear of the main field and opening up a decisive lead.

Rabou, Kenneally and Roche then left the others with three kilometres to go, fighting it out for the stage between them. Rabou was quickest, taking the top time bonus. O’Brien led in Ronnie Hartz (RennTeam FOCUS - SteinTherme), Ferdi Van Katwijk (Team Altipower) and Niek Asbroek (also Team Altipower) a couple of seconds later, with the other two riders in the break - Brian Keane (Dublin Whls/All Systems) and John Dempsey (Murphy and Gunn/Newlyn Group) a further three seconds back. Paul Healion (Murphy and Gunn/Newlyn Group) won the bunch sprint and after the application of the time bonuses, he and the rest of the those in the main field will start stage two 21 seconds down.

Rabou was first over the climb and he now leads the overall, points and King of the Mountains competitions.

Hopes of a home victory for Munster riders were dealt a blow when the former race winner Eugene Moriarty, Timmy Barry, Michael Hennessy and Kealan O’Connor were part of a 25 man pileup some 20 miles from the finish. Moriarty and O’Connor were brought to hospital.

The race continues tomorrow with a 98 mile Valentia Ring stage. The route is:

Killorglin, Glenbeigh, Drom West (KOH Cat 3) Kells, Caherciveen, Portmagee, Knightstown,KOH (Cat 3) KOH (Cat 2), KOH (Cat 2), Portmagee, Annagar Bridge, Raheen (KOH Cat 2) Killurley KOH (Cat 2), St. Finans Bay, Coom (KOH Cat 2) Ballinskelligs, - Cahirciveen, Kells, Glenbeigh, finish in Killorglin.


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Credit Union Ras Mumhan: stage 1, Killorglin – Killorglin:

1, Thomas Rabou (Team Altipower) 50 miles in 1 hour 44 mins 4 secs
2, Brian Kenneally (MyHome.ie/Cycleways) at 2 secs
3, Andrew Roche (Murphy and Gunn/Newlyn Group) at 4 secs
4, Paídi O’Brien (Sean Kelly – ACLBB M. Donnelly Racing Team) at 10 secs
5, Ronnie Hartz (RennTeam FOCUS - SteinTherme)
6, Ferdi Van Katwijk (Team Altipower)
7, Niek Asbroek (Team Altipower) all same time
8, Brian Keane (Dublin Whls/All Systems) at 13 secs
9, John Dempsey (Murphy and Gunn/Newlyn Group) same time
10, Paul Healion (Murphy and Gunn/Newlyn Group) at 31 secs


King of the Mountains:

1, Thomas Rabou, 10 pts
2, Andrew Roche, 9
3, Brian Keane, 8