Credit Union Ras Mumhan - NE

Ireland, April 18-21, 2003

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Stage 2 - April 20: Killorglin-Killorglin, 96 miles

By Tommy Campbell, Irish Independent/Evening Herald/Sunday Independent

P. Moriarty leads Dawson
Photo: © Gerry McManus

Within twenty-four hours of relinquishing his yellow jersey as race leader of the Credit Union Ras Mumhan, Kevin Dawson of the Life Repair CRT team was back again as the holder of the jersey when stage three finished in Killorglin yesterday afternoon. Dawson did not win the stage into the town associated with Puck Fair but he had eked out the lead again thanks to a sterling performance during the Irish Ferries/Conor Pass route over 92 miles to claim the runner-up spot behind Eugene Moriarty of the Cycleways/Lee Strand CC team. Moriarty recently back from San Francisco used his local knowledge to solo home to a very popular victory as he comes from Listowel.

The main action of the stage happened after 30 miles of competition as the participants started into the Conor Pass for the six-mile ascent, which is described "as a true test of climbing." Dawson made his move as they hit the bottom along with a group of twenty-four. Paul Doyle of Tilechoice, the overnight race leader, said "it just happened that someone let a wheel slip and unfortunately I was not close to the action and from then it was all downhill for me. I was delighted to have worn the jersey, but that's cycle racing,".

At the top of the climb, Dawson's group had been whittled down to eight because of the intensity of the pressure that was applied by in particular by Paddy Moriarty of the Hibernian Team Ireland.

Moriarty wins
Photo: © Gerry McManus

Going to make his defence of the title, he won last a successful one. As they headed back to the finish there was little activity from the group as they consolidated their positions on the general classification. On the approach to the last King of the Hills at Sliabh Mish, twelve miles from the finish, Eugene Moriarty made a forward move, which caused problems for the break. He went over the prime in first place and kept up the tempo, which saw him win the stage. "My intentions was to go with five miles remaining at Milltown, but once I got the gap it was all systems go and at the finish I was ahead," said Eugene.

Today's final stage around the town of Killorglin is over 58 miles, but it is anticipated that Dawson is well capable of defending his lead.

Photos

Images by Gerry McManus

P. Moriarty leads Dawson and Barry up the Connor Pass
Rob Endsleigh shows the pain on the Connor Pass
The breakaways jostle on the Sliabh Mish prime
Anthony Malarczyk and Peter Shepherd go on an early attack
Dawson takes second from P. Moriarty and Tim Barry
Moriarty takes stage 2

Results

1 Eugene Moriarty (Cycleways/Lee Strand)                3.51.02 
2 K. Dawson (Life Repair CRT)                                 4
3 P. Moriarty (Hibernian Team Ireland)                        6
4 T. Barry (Hibernian Team Ireland)                           7
5 R. Wyley (London Irish CC)                                 11
6 A. Donnellan (Leinster Cycling Federation)                 14

Overall:

1 K. Dawson (Life Repair CRT)                           7.55.26
2 P. Moriarty (Hibernian Team Ireland)                        9
3 T. Barry (Hibernian Team Ireland)                          17
4 R. Wyley (London Irish CC)                                 22
5 Eugene Moriarty (Cycleways/Lee Strand)                     26
6 A. Donnellan (Leinster Cycling Federation)                 28

Points: 

1 Dawson                                                     29

King of Hills: 

1 E. Moriarty                                                40