Mark Dowling (DID Dunboyne CC)
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Mark Dowling of DID/Dunboyne CC nailed his colours to the mast yesterday when he triumphed with a stage win the Kerry Group Ras Mumhan which finished on the top of the Conor Pass on the outskirts of Dingle in Co. Kerry.
In doing so, Mark has opened gaps on the general classification listings. Whereas overnight, 91 competitors were within shouting distance of the race lead, that has now dropped to 22.
It was also a bad day in the office for the overnight leader Paudi O'Brien of the Dan Morrissey/Speedy-Spokes team who suffered on the climb of the Conor Pass and all reasonable chance of the top spot on Monday afternoon has vanished, but don't rule out another stage win.
The second stage winch rolled out from Dingle for the 126.3kms at mid-day was an action packed start. Leading from the front were Timmy Barry Dan Morrissey/Speedy Spokes (former winner in 2010), Richard Hooton Visit Nenagh, Swen Van der Meer West Frisa and Paolo Aimidi Team 100 RPM. The quintet were responsible for stretching the field who had settled in to the routine of the days stage.
And then came the decisive move of the day with the defending champion Sean Lacey of Dan Morrissey Speedy-Spokes, the duo from the EuroCycles team Conor Murphy and Adam Armstrong, Charles Prendergast of Cunga and a former Junior Irish Road Race champion, and Andy Betts of Felt Colbonnes RT moving ahead of the chasing pack. Inevitably this surge by the quintet and the chase to close them down had consequences as the main field started to splinter with riders been shelled out.
But in the back of everybody�s' mind was the final ascent of the Conor Pass a daunting task. The quintet's lead went close to the four minute marker, before the lights went on in the main pack. The two main protagonists in the mountains category Lacey and Murphy were having their own battle to rack up points at the intermediary 'King of Hills' category.
First to lose his place in the lead was Prendergast who slowly dropped back to the chasing pack which was on fire and being led by the DID/Dunboyne CC. Their injection of pace was scintillating as they massed at the front of the bunch. It also showed that team work at its best as first to go on behalf of the team was Eugene Moriarty, then Aidan Crowley as they dug deep to claw back the advantage of the leaders This injection of pace was beginning to tell on the quartet's lead was ebbing away. At Annascaul it was back to less than three minutes and within the start of the final ascent of the Conor Pass it was less than a half minute.
In fairness to the bunch which was now down to 100 competitors, the start of the climb which was shrouded in mist (whereas a year ago, it was illuminated with bright sunshine) the two leaders, Lacey and Armstrong were now starting to run on empty as they went into the final 11kms of climbing.
Obviously those best suited to climbing were now beginning to show their strengths. Withing a couple of kilometers the efforts of Lacey and Armstrong petered away as a lead group of six swept them up. In the end it came down to a duel between Dowling Ryan Sherlock IVERK/Carrick Wheelers and Colin Parry of Primal Europe.
"It was one of those days which went to plan. The team DID/Dunboyne CC were happy to let the leaders stay in front as we were happy to be ready to close them down. All round it was a team effort. On the climb I heard my Mam shouting encouragement and I just went for it. Looks like the bad luck of recent pass with punctures is behind me. In the last two weeks the form has been improving and today proved that," as he wound down on the rollers in the Community School in Dingle.
Another unsung hero of the day was Siobhan Horgan of Team GSD Gestation. Siobhan finished the day in 28th position. "Yes, I was delighted to have put in such an effort today. I was in a group who rode up the climb in a tempo mode. It was a great feeling," said Siobhan. But the lady has a bigger stage to climb. Her goal is to achieve selection for the London Olympics and on yesterday's performance it would be a brave soul to deny her.
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STAGE SPONSOR: FITZGERALD�S of Homevalue/Centra
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Stage 3. Easter Sunday April 8th . Waterville and Valentia Stage.
The stage has a 12 noon start in the South Kerry Town of Waterville and the leading riders are expected at the finish back in Waterville again at 3.40pm. The 142km route is the same as last few years, taking in St. Finians Bay , Cahirsiveen, Dromid & Valentia Island before going back to finish in Waterville at 3.30pm
Timetable: The Race, which will start in Waterville at 12 noon, and finish back there at 3.40pm. The route will take the race to Kineigh Cross 12.07, Ballinskelligs 12.22, The Glen 12.36, Anagar Bridge 12.48, Creamery Cross 12.51, Cahirsiveen 1pm, Barrys Cross 1.02 , Raheen Cross 1.05, Kileenleigh Cross 1.23, New Chapel Cross 1.38, Cremaery Cross 1.52, Portmagee 2.09, Valentia Island & Chapletown, 2.15, Portmagee 2.30, Anagar Bridge 2.44, The Glen 2.59 Ballinskelligs 3.10, Agatubrid Cross 3.25, Waterville 3.40