It is never too early for a party in the town of Clonakilty, County Cork.
Photo ©: Stephen McMahon
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The brilliant sunshine made a significant contribution to the atmosphere
Photo ©: Stephen McMahon
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Irish rider David McCann (Colavita Sutter Home Cycling) rode aggressively
Photo ©: Stephen McMahon
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Race leader Stijn Vandenbergh (Unibet.com) arrived at the sign
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American rider Ian McGregor (Team Slipstream) was up for a bit
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There is the serious business of a road race to consider and Irish Road Race Champion
Photo ©: Stephen McMahon
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Stage 2 of the Tour of Ireland 2007 is a go. The riders will race through West County Cork
Photo ©: Stephen McMahon
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The attacks begin almost immediately and subsequently the pace is ferocious.
Photo ©: Stephen McMahon
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Norwegian National Champion Alexander Kristoff (Team Maxbo-Bianchi) leads
Photo ©: Stephen McMahon
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The peleton has fragmented into several large groups by the time the race passes
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Gert Vanderaerden (DFL-Cyclingnews-Litespeed) has a brief consultation with the race doctor
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With the attacks coming thick and fast Marcel Beima and Bernhard Eisel (T-Mobile Team)
Photo ©: Stephen McMahon
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Norwegian rider Svein Vold (Team Maxbo-Bianchi) concentrates on staying in contact
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Dermot Nally and Martyn Irvine (Irish National Team) pace themselves to the top
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Roberto Traficante (Team LPR) leads a breakaway group of six riders.
Photo ©: Stephen McMahon
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Team CSC are keen to neutralise any attacks as the race draws ever nearer
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The rugged and unforgiving category one climb of the Healy Pass.
Photo ©: Stephen McMahon
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Gordon McAuley (Plowman Craven Evans Cycles) leads Kristan House (Navigators Insurance)
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The climb took its toll on the chasing group.
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Race Leader Stijn Vandenbergh (Unibet.com) receives service
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Vandenbergh was quickly back on the road
Photo ©: Stephen McMahon
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The final ascent of the day was the second
Photo ©: Stephen McMahon
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Uzbekistanian rider Sergey Lagutin (Navigators Insurance)
Photo ©: Stephen McMahon
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Team CSC controlled the peleton with a high tempo
Photo ©: Stephen McMahon
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Matti Breschel (Team CSC) justifies the efforts of his team-mates
Photo ©: Stephen McMahon
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Despite his obvious exhilaration at having won the stage
Photo ©: Stephen McMahon
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Matti Breschel (Team CSC), winner of Stage 2
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After a day of intelligent and consistent riding, Stijn Vandenbergh
Photo ©: Stephen McMahon
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Wesley Sulzberger (SouthAustralia.com-AIS) accepts the white jersey
Photo ©: Stephen McMahon
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Matti Breschel (Team CSC) takes the lead in the Points Classification.
Photo ©: Stephen McMahon
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