Paul Healion (Murphy and Gunn/Newlyn Group) took the most important win to date of the newly-launched Continental team when he successfully defended his yellow jersey on the final stage of the Credit Union Ras Mumhan in Killorglin today.
Stage honours went to Mehall Fitzgearld, the Myhome.ie/Cycleways rider proving quickest in the uphill rise to the line in the Kerry village. Healion took second, comfortably retaining his 2 minute 51 seconds lead over Martin O’Loughlin (Dan Morrissey Carrick Wheelers) and thus winning the race overall. Daniel Lynch (Fermoy) was third on the stage, while Thomas Rabou (Team Altipower/Netherlands) Ray Clarke (Dan Morrissey Carrick Wheelers) and Paidi O’Brien (Sean Kelly – ACLVB M. Donnelly) filled the remaining places in the top six.
With the main bunch arriving together at the finish, Simon Kelly (Murphy and Gunn/Newlyn Group) held onto his third place overall. He ended the four day, five stage race 3 mins and 29 seconds behind Healion, Niek Asbroke (Team Altipower/Netherlands) was a further eleven seconds in arrears, while German rider Ronny Hartz (RennTeam FOCUS) and Daniel Lynch were both 4 minutes and 45 seconds back.
In terms of the other classifications, Healion’s second place today saw him win the points competition. The Dubliner further underlined his excellent form by finishing second to team mate Conor Murphy in the King of the Mountains classification.
The race saw a very impressive all-round performance from the squad, with Healion and Simon Kelly’s placings in the top three overall helping ensure that the Murphy and Gunn/Newlyn Group riders comfortably won the team competition from Surrey.
The Sean Kelly – ACLVB M. Donnelly riders took a clean sweep in the under 23 awards with Andrew McQuaid, local man Michael Concannon and Paídi O’Brien filling the top three places.
----------
Credit Union Ras Mumhan stage 5, Killorglin:
1, Mehall Fitzgearld (Myhome.ie/Cycleways) 60 miles in 2 hours 6 minutes 3 seconds
2, Paul Healion (Murphy and Gunn/Newlyn Group) at 2 secs
3, Daniel Lynch (Fermoy) at 4 secs
4, Thomas Rabou (Team Altipower/Netherlands) at 5 secs
5, Ray Clarke (Dan Morrissey Carrick Wheelers)
6, Paidi O’Brien (Sean Kelly – ACLVB M. Donnelly) both same time
Final overall:
1, Paul Healion (Murphy and Gunn/Newlyn Group) 9 hours 20 mins 54 secs
2, Martin O’Loughlin (Dan Morrissey Carrick Wheelers) at 2 mins 51 secs
3, Simon Kelly (Murphy and Gunn) at 3 mins 29 secs
4, Niek Asbroke (Team Altipower/Netherlands) at 3 mins 40 secs
5, Ronny Hartz (RennTeam FOCUS/Germany) at 4 mins 45 secs
6, Daniel Lynch (Fermoy) at 4 mins 45 secs
7, Gary Dodd (Surrey) at 5 mins
8, Rory Wyley (Dan Morrissey Carrick Wheelers) at 5 mins 47 secs
9, Conor Murphy (Murphy and Gunn/Newlyn Group) at 6 mins 1 sec
10, Andrew McQuaid (Sean Kelly – ACLVB M. Donnelly) at 6 mins 22 secs
Points
1, Paul Healion (Murphy and Gunn/Newlyn Group) 44
2, Thomas Rabou (Team Altipower/Netherlands) 41
3, Paídi O’Brien (Sean Kelly – ACLVB M. Donnelly) 39
King of the Mountains:
1, Conor Murphy (Murphy and Gunn/Newlyn Group) 61
2, Paul Healion (Murphy and Gunn/Newlyn Group) 47
3, Niek Asbroek (Team Altipower/Netherlands) 40
Under 23:
1, Andrew McQuaid (Sean Kelly – ACLVB M. Donnelly)
2, Michael Concannon (Sean Kelly – ACLVB M. Donnelly)
3, Paidi O’Brien (Sean Kelly – ACLVB M. Donnelly)
Team:
1, Murphy and Gunn/Newlyn Group
2, Surrey League
3, Dan Morrissey Carrick Wheelers