Having held the race lead since the end of stage three, Gediminas Bagdonas faced the biggest challenge yet to his yellow jersey when he came under sustained attack on today’s sixth stage of the An Post Rás.
The Lithuanian rider got clear with An Post Grant Thornton M. Donnelly Sean Kelly team-mate Sam Bennett plus 28 others. However he almost lost his lead when Anatoliy Pakhtusov (Ukraine ISD Lampre) forged ahead with Lachlann Norris (Australia Drapac Cycling), Marcin Bialoblocki (Britain Team Motorpoint), Pakhtusov and Wouter Sybrandy (Britain Sigma Specialized Team) 64 kilometres from the finish.
On the tough, twisting coast roads heading towards the finish in Tramore, the race leader engaged in a pursuit battle, trying to limit the gains of the quartet up front. Pakhtusov became virtual leader with 25 kilometres remaining but the chasing by Bennett and then a determined drive by Bagdonas saw the balance shift, and the yellow jersey retained the lead by 32 seconds.
Norris punctured out of the move and Sybrandy was distanced on the short, steep drag up to the finish; Bialoblocki and Pakhtusov fought it out for the win, with the former taking it by five seconds.
“I am very happy. I was confident, I like hills and I felt good today,” he said.
Bagdonas had his toughest day yest, but is now just two stages away from winning the biggest race of his career. He readily admitted it was a tough day. “In the last 30 kilometres, I was alone…everybody was jumping. I was catching them one by one,” he said.
“In the last eight kilometres, Kurt [An Post Grant Thornton M. Donnelly Sean Kelly manager Kurt Bogaerts] told me I needed to go full gas and go time trial, go hard.” The Lituanian rider did just that, putting his head down and stubbornly paring back some of the advantage that Pakhtusov had carved out.
Bogaerts said afterwards that Bennett’s contribution was vital to keeping that lead. “I think he made a major step in his career today,” he said. “He showed everyone…he did a really, really great ride. He was a big part in helping to keep the yellow jersey. Sam had covered already a few attacks. Then I think he put the brains on zero…he was riding on the front of the group with everyone on his wheel, no attacks were coming any more. It was more than perfect.”
Irish riders Sean Downey (Ireland Team Skoda) and David McCann (Giant Kenda) got clear in a chase group towards the end and finished seventh and ninth respectively.
They are riding well as this race nears its conclusion, and are now eleventh and 14th overall. Bagdonas remains in the driving seat, though; he’s got just two day left, and he and his team will fight tooth and nail to retain the yellow jersey.
How things unfolded:
What was destined to be a great day of racing began in a very different manner when the first five kilometres were neutralised due to road works on the road out of Blarney. Once the flag dropped, a succession of attacks were launched but it took quite a while for a group to get any sort of decent gap.
Casey Munro (Britain Rapha Condor Sharp), Steven Lampier (Britain Sigma Specialized Team), Robin Kelly (Kildare Newbridge), Patrick Clarke (Mayo Western Edge Medical Comm), Stephen Gallagher(Donegal Sportactive/Engraveit) and Ralf Matzka(Germany Thuringer Energie) got away early on but were hauled back after a couple of kilometres.
A bigger break went approximately 47 kilometres after the start, when Rhys Pollock(Australia Drapac Cycling) jumped clear, was joined by Conor Dunne (Ireland Team Skoda), David McCann (Asia Giant Kenda Cycling Team), Wouter Sybrandy (Britain Sigma Specialized Team) and Erwan Brenterch (France AVC Aix en Provence).
On the climb of Killathy more riders came up, namely Conor Dunne (Ireland Team Skoda), Sean Downey (Ireland Team Skoda), David McCann (Asia Giant Kenda Cycling Team), Mark Cassidy (Belgium An Post Sean Kelly), Mark McNally (Belgium An Post Sean Kelly), Erwan Brenterch (France AVC Aix en Provence), Bob Rodriguez (France AVC Aix en Provence), Bastian Burgel (Germany Thuringer Energie), Marcel Barth (Germany Thuringer Energie), Hector Gonzalez (Greece KTM Murica), Jaume Rovira Pous (Greece KTM Murica), Henry Frusto (Italy D'Angelo & D'Antenucci), Maksym Vasyliev (Ukraine ISD-Lampre Continental), Ben Greenwood (Britain Rapha Condor Sharp), Wouter Sybrandy (Britain Sigma Specialized Team), William Bjergfelt (Britain Motorpoint) and Tim Barry (Carlow Dan Morrisey Better Bld).
Pollock, McCann, Greenwood and Bjergfelt led the riders over the category three climb at Killathy but, soon afterwards, the peloton dragged them back.
Pollock was in a persistent mood and clipped away going through Fermoy, 57 kilometres after the start, along with Marytn Irvine (Asia Giant Kenda Cycling Team) and Steven Lampier (Britain Sigma Specialized Team) . They opened a maximum lead of 20 seconds, were joined by Conor Murphy (Dublin Eurocycles) and then Jakob Steigmiller (Germany Thuringer Energie) plus Stephen Gallagher (Donegal Sportactive/Engraveit), but were hauled back after approximately 20 minutes out front.
The peloton continued onwards to Tallow, where Robin Kelly (Kildare Newbridge) took the prime there. That was followed by the day’s second climb, the cat. 3 ascent at Kilmore (km 80), where mountains leader Oleksandr Sheydyk (Ukraine ISD-Lampre Continental) beat Nikolay Mihaylov (France AVC Aix en Provence), race leader Gediminas Bagdonas (Belgium An Post Sean Kelly) and Jakob Steigmiller (Germany Thuringer Energie).
The slopes caused a split and enabled those riders plus thirteen others to move clear. That number comprised Sean Downey (Ireland Team Skoda), Lachlann Norris (Australia Drapac Cycling), Bob Rodriguez (France AVC Aix en Provence), Jakob Steigmiller (Germany Thuringer Energie), Jaume Rovira Pous (Greece KTM Murica), Henry Frusto (Italy D'Angelo & D'Antenucci), Oleksander Martynenko (Ukraine ISD-Lampre Continental), Dean Windsor (Britain Rapha Condor Sharp), Simon Richardson (Britain Sigma Specialized Team), Peter Williams (Britain Motorpoint), James Sampson (Britain Motorpoint), Marcin Bialoblocki (Britain Motorpoint) and William Bjergfelt (Britain Motorpoint). They were joined soon after by former race leader Shane Archbold (New Zealand).
With the gap back to the peloton being 36 seconds, five chasers tried to get across and did so after several kilometres. The quintet were Aaron Gate (New Zealand National Team), Javier Benitez Pomares (Greece KTM Murica), Menso de Jong (USA Wonderful Pistachios), Wouter Sybrandy (Britain Sigma Specialized Team) and Alistair Rutherford (Britain Scienceinsport.com). A group of seven then joined up 93 kilometres after the start, with the addition of David McCann (Asia Giant Kenda Cycling Team), Rhys Pollock (Australia Drapac Cycling), Sam Bennett (Belgium An Post Grant Thornton M. Donnelly Sean Kelly), Erwan Brenterch (France AVC Aix en Provence), Jose Carrasco (Greece KTM Murica), Anatoliy Pakhtusov (Ukraine ISD-Lampre Continental) and Paul Oldham (Britain Scienceinsport.com) bringing the number of those in the break up to 30. They opened up a two and a half minute lead over the peloton, and this was destined to keep growing.
Break clear, further selections occur:
100 kilometres into the stage, Marcin Bialoblocki and William Bjergfelt (both Team Motorpoint) plus Menso de Jong (Wonderful Pistachios) forged clear of this group. They took the first three places at the cat 3 climb at Grange (km 104.8), with Anatoliy Pakhtusov (Ukraine ISD-Lampre Continental) netting fourth. They were recaptured soon afterwards, then with 64 kilometres remaining, one of yesterday’s principal aggressors Lachlann Norris (Australia Drapac Cycling) attacked w ith three others. Joined by Bialoblocki, Pakhtusov and Wouter Sybrandy (Britain Sigma Specialized Team), they swiftly gained time.
By Dungarvan, 50 kilometres from the finish, they were already 58 seconds ahead of chasers Erwan Brenterch (France AVC Aix en Provence), Jakob Steigmiller (Germany Thuringer Energie), Jaume Rovira Pous (Greece KTM Murica) and Aaron Gate (New Zealand). Bagdonas and the others from the large group were one minute 18 seconds back and losing more time.
David McCann (Asia Giant Kenda Cycling Team) and Floris Goesinnen (Australia Drapac Cycling) got across to the four chasers, but these were all recaptured by the yellow jersey group. McCann was determined to try again and attacked with compatriot Sean Downey (Ireland Team Skoda) plus the Spaniard Jose Carrasco (Greece KTM Murica). They picked up Norris, who punctured out of the front group.
Their chances of joining initially looked good; with 32 kilometres to go, they were just 27 seconds back. However with 25 kilometres to go, they had slipped to 42 seconds in arrears; more significantly, the yellow jersey was two minutes and 24 seconds back. This marked danger for Bagdonas, who had started the day 2 minutes 21 seconds behind, and so was falling away from the race lead.
Pakhtusov was in a determined mood and drove the bunch along. He was first to the top of the category 3 climb
at Tankardstown (km 148.3), as well as those at Benvoy (km 151.1) and Ballygarran (km 156.4).
Bagdonas realised that the situation was precarious and, unhappy with the pace being set by his group, kicked clear. He was joined by Nikolay Mihaylov (France AVC Aix en Provence), who had started the day second overall, and they drove onwards. They were however caught once again.
With ten kilometres to go, the six chasers were 55 seconds back and clearly not going to get across. Bagdonas’ group was at 1 minute 45 seconds, and so the fight back to keep the jersey was looking good. However five kilometres from the line, the gap had gone up again to two minutes 11 seconds, and the situation was looking dangerous once more. Bagdonas ramped up the pace in response and gave it everything to fight back.
Heading into the final kilometre and up the steep drag to the finish, Sybrandy was dropped by the other two leaders. Bialoblocki kept the pressure on and opened a gap over Pakhtusov, grabbing the stage win by five seconds. Further back, McCann jumped the chase group but was reeled in; instead, Frusto was first home of those riders, one minute and 14 seconds after Bialoblocki.
Downey took seventh, finishing two places ahead of McCann and being first Irishman home. Crucially, Bagdonas finished one minute 54 seconds back, and so held onto his yellow jersey. He’ll begin tomorrow’s penultimate stage with a 32 second lead over Pakhtusov and one minute 13 over Sheydyk; first Irishman Downey is now 11th, three minutes 14 back.
An Post Rás (2.2), stage 6: Blarney to Tramore:
1, Marcin Bialoblocki (Britain Motorpoint) 172 kilometres in 3 hours 35 mins 55 secs
2, Anatoliy Pakhtusov (Ukraine ISD-Lampre Continental) at 5 secs
3, Wouter Sybrandy (Britain Sigma Specialized Team) at 10 secs
4, Henry Frusto (Italy D'Angelo & D'Antenucci) at 1 min 14 secs
5, Jose Carrasco (Greece KTM Murica) at 1 min 16 secs
6, Jakob Steigmiller (Germany Thuringer Energie) at 1 min 18 secs
7, Sean Downey (Ireland Team Skoda) at 1 min 20 secs
8, Lachlann Norris (Australia Drapac Cycling) at 1 min 24 secs
9, David McCann (Asia Giant Kenda Cycling Team) at 1 min 36 secs
10, Shane Archbold (New Zealand National Team) at 1 min 47 secs
11, Peter Williams (Britain Motorpoint) at 1 min 51 secs
12, Oleksandr Sheydyk (Ukraine ISD-Lampre Continental) same time
13, Simon Richardson (Britain Sigma Specialized Team) at 1 min 54 secs
14, Gediminas Bagdonas (Belgium An Post Grant Thornton M. Donnelly Sean Kelly)
15, William Bjergfelt (Britain Motorpoint) both same time
Primes:
An Post Prime, Tallow: Robin Kelly (Kildare Newbridge)
KOM category 3 at Killathy (km 49.6):
1, Rhys Pollock (Australia Drapac Cycling) 5 pts
2, David McCann (Asia Giant Kenda Cycling Team) 4 pts
3, Ben Greenwood (Britain Rapha Condor Sharp) 3 pts
4, William Bjergfelt (Britain Motorpoint) 2 pts
KOM category 3 at Kilmore (km 80):
1, Oleksandr Sheydyk (Ukraine ISD-Lampre Continental) 5 pts
2, Nikolay Mihaylov (France AVC Aix en Provence) 4 pts
3, Gediminas Bagdonas (Belgium An Post Grant Thornton M. Donnelly Sean Kelly) 3 pts
4, Jakob Steigmiller (Germany Thuringer Energie) 2 pts
KOM category 3 at Grange (km 104.8):
1, Marcin Bialoblocki (Britain Motorpoint) 5 pts
2, William Bjergfelt (Britain Motorpoint) 4
3, Menso de Jong (USA Wonderful Pistachios) 3
4, Anatoliy Pakhtusov (Ukraine ISD-Lampre Continental) 2
KOM category 3 at Tankardstown (km 148.3):
1, Anatoliy Pakhtusov (Ukraine ISD-Lampre Continental) 5
2, Marcin Bialoblocki (Britain Motorpoint) 4
3, Wouter Sybrandy (Britain Sigma Specialized Team) 3
4, Lachlann Norris (Australia Drapac Cycling) 2
KOM category 3 at Benvoy (km 151.1):
1, Anatoliy Pakhtusov (Ukraine ISD-Lampre Continental) 5
2, Marcin Bialoblocki (Britain Motorpoint) 4
3, Wouter Sybrandy (Britain Sigma Specialized Team) 3
4, Jose Carrasco (Greece KTM Murica) 2
KOM category 3 at Ballygarran (km 156.4):
1, Anatoliy Pakhtusov (Ukraine ISD-Lampre Continental) 5pts
2, Wouter Sybrandy (Britain Sigma Specialized Team) 4
3, Marcin Bialoblocki (Britain Motorpoint) 3
4, David McCann (Asia Giant Kenda Cycling Team) 2
Cuchulainn Crystal County Rider Stage:
1, Neill Delahaye (Meath Dectek) 3 hours 42 mins 46 secs
2, Conor Murphy (Dublin Eurocycles) at 42 secs
3, Joseph Fenlon (Carlow Dan Morrisey Better Bld) at 46
International Team:
1, Britain Motorpoint, 10 hours 51 mins 30 secs
2, Ukraine ISD Lampre, 10 hours 52 mins 14 secs
3, Greece KTM Murcia, 10 hours 52 mins 56 secs
4, Australia Drapac Professional, 10 hours 53 mins 35 secs
5, France AVC Aix en Provence, 10 hours 54 mins 1 sec
County Team:
1, Mayo Western Edge Medical, 11 hours 13 mins 15 secs
2, Carlow Dan Morrissey, 11 hours 13 mins 59 secs
3, Meath Dectek, 11 hours 26 mins 26 secs
4, Meath Stamullen M. Donnelly, 11 hours 27 mins 45 secs
5, Donegal Sportactive/Engraveit, 11 hours 29 mins 24 secs
General Classification:
1, Gediminas Bagdonas (Belgium An Post Grant Thornton M. Donnelly Sean Kelly) 23 hours 59 mins 52 secs
2, Anatoliy Pakhtusov (Ukraine ISD-Lampre Continental) at 32 secs
3, Oleksandr Sheydyk (Ukraine ISD-Lampre Continental) at 1 min 13 secs
4, Nikolay Mihaylov (France AVC Aix en Provence) at 1 min 16 secs
5, Peter Williams (Britain Motorpoint) at 1 min 24 secs
6, Aaron Gate (New Zealand National Team) at 1 min 31 secs
7, Floris Goesinnen (Australia Drapac Cycling)
8, Simon Richardson (Britain Sigma Specialized Team) both same time
9, Shane Archbold (New Zealand National Team) at 2 mins 10 secs
10, Wouter Sybrandy (Britain Sigma Specialized Team) at 2 mins 16 secs
11, Sean Downey (Ireland Team Skoda) at 3 mins 14 secs
12, Dean Windsor (Britain Rapha Condor Sharp) at 3 mins 47 secs
13, James Sampson (Britain Motorpoint) at 3 mins 55 secs
14, David McCann (Asia Giant Kenda Cycling Team) at 9 mins 3 secs
15, William Bjergfelt (Britain Motorpoint) at 9 mins 49 secs
Irish Sports Council Under 23:
1, Aaron Gate (New Zealand National Team) 24 hours 1 min 23 secs
2, Shane Archbold (New Zealand National Team) at 39 secs
3, Sean Downey (Ireland Team Skoda) at 1 min 43 secs
4, Jakob Steigmiller (Germany Thuringer Energie) at 9 mins 59 secs
5, Menso de Jong (USA Wonderful Pistachios) at 10 mins 47 secs
CI Category 2 Overall:
1, Christopher Coyle (Mayo Western Edge Medical Comm), 24 hours 47 mins 37 secs
2, Mark Gill (Dublin South Dublin Zilcom) at 22 mins 25 secs
3, John Dempsey (Donegal LK Bikes) at 23 mins 38 secs
4, Ciaran Clarke (Mayo Western Edge Medical Comm) at 37 mins 25 secs
5, Eoghan Considine (Galway Black Rose) at 59 mins 44 secs
Fitz Cycles County Rider Overall
1, Adam Armstrong (Dublin Eurocycles) 24 hours 16 mins 14 secs
2, Anthony Walsh (Dublin UCD) at 2 mins 51 secs
3, Tim Barry (Carlow Dan Morrisey Better Bld) at 3 mins 6 secs
4, Derek Finnegan (Meath Stamullen M. Donnelly) at 6 mins 52 secs
5, Conor Murphy (Dublin Eurocycles) at 8 mins 9 secs
Post Office Points Classification:
1, Shane Archbold (New Zealand National Team) 56
2, Gediminas Bagdonas (Belgium An Post Grant Thornton M. Donnelly Sean Kelly) 53
3, Tobyn Horton (Britain Motorpoint) 35
4, Erwan Brenterch (France AVC Aix en Provence) 29
5, Anatoliy Pakhtusov (Ukraine ISD-Lampre Continental) 26
One4All Bikes4Work King of the Mountains:
1, Oleksandr Sheydyk (Ukraine ISD-Lampre Continental) 41
2, Javier Benitez Pomares (Greece KTM Murica) 35
3, Salvador Guardiola (Greece KTM Murica) 30
4, Nikolay Mihaylov (France AVC Aix en Provence) 25
5, Lachlann Norris (Australia Drapac Cycling) 22
International Team Overall:
1, Britain Motorpoint, 72 hours 4 mins 19 secs
2, Australia Drapac Cycling, at 11 mins 23 secs
3, France AVC Aix en Provence, at 12 min 53 secs
4, New Zealand, at 18 mins 19 secs
5, Ukraine ISD Lampre, at 21 mins 18 secs
County Team Overall:
1, Carlow Dan Morrissey, 73 hours 36 mins 35 secs
2, Dublin Eurocycles, at 37 mins 10 secs
3, Mayo Western Edge, at 50 mins 17 secs
4, Donegal Sportactive/Engraveit, at 1 hour 11 mins 41 secs
5, Dublin UCD, at 1 hour 49 mins 6 secs