Ras Mumhan - NE

Ireland, April 10-12, 2004

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Stage 1 - April 9: Killorglin-Killorglin , 52 miles

Downing wins Mumhan opener

By Tommy Campbell

Dean Downing of 'The Recycling.Co.Uk-MG X Power Team' on his first visit to Ireland for the Credit Union Ras Mumhan cycling event came up trumps. Downing a 29-year-old engineer by trade edged out David O'Loughlin of Hibernian Team Ireland to take over as race leader of the Credit Union Ras Mumhan which started and finished in the Square in Killorglin, Co. Kerry yesterday.

From the outset of the 52-mile event, which went via Killarney, Castleisland, Tralee and Milltown, there was no let up by any of the 137 starters who competed in very favourable conditions.

As early as six miles into the event, it was evident that the newly formed 'The Recycling.Co.Uk-MG X Power Team' were here intent on landing a telling blow on stage one of the five which is being held over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Initially David O'Loughlin of Hibernian Team Ireland set the tone of the race by going clear, but the large bunch was in no mood to let anybody escape their clutches, but the strong pace by O'Loughlin suddenly opened a gap when he was joined by Downing and his team companion Robin Sharman which also included Timmy Barry (Carrick Cidona), Aidan Crowley (Cycleways-Lee Strand) and Micheal Conncannon of the promoting club Killorglin Credit Union.

Going through Killarney the advantage was just on the forty-second marker with the bunch rolling along steadily. Also the sextet was sharing the pace, which was in their favour as the chasers were employing stop-go tactics in their efforts to haul them back.

As the miles counted down and the lead going to over a minute, it looked as though the leaders were very comfortable, but going through Castle island and now facing into a head wind on the Ballymacelligot Straight, things up front looked vulnerable for the first time with the pack now narrowing their advantage to just over 30 seconds.

The sextet still stuck their task but unfortunately Conncannon and Crowley lost their place despite their tenacious efforts to keep ahead.

Going over Sliabh Mish were the King of the Hills prime was, the race winner started to show his mettle and it took Barry and O'Loughlin to cancel his advantage.

On the run in to the finish Barry lost his place at the head of the race with O'Loughlin now having to measure up to the visitors. In the end Downing took the honours with O'Loughlin second and Sharman third. "It looked as though we were going to be caught, but we stuck to our task to hedge off the bunch. Davy O'Loughlin was very strong today, but the advantage of a team mate worked in my favour," said the winner Dean Downing. Today's stage over the Ring of Kerry will be difficult, but the Recyling team will have their work cut out to hold on to the overall lead with the might of the Hibernian team intent on dislodging him.

Despite just staying ahead of the bunch, which was led in by Eugene Moriarty, Barry hung on to finish fourth. "I was delighted to finish the stage. On Tuesday evening I was involved in an accident. Today I felt sore. Hopefully tomorrow around the "Ring", I'll feel better," said Timmy.

Results

1 Dean Downing (Recycling.Co.Uk-MG X Power)        1.58.58
2 D. O'Loughlin (Hibernian Team Ireland)              0.02
3 R. Sharman (Recycling.Co.Uk-MG X Power)             0.13
4 T. Barry (Carrick Cidona), @25secs;
5 R. Downing (Recycling.Co.Uk-MG X Power)             0.32
6 K. House (Recycling.Co.Uk-MG X Power)
7 E. Moriarty (Cyleways-Lee Strand)
8 K. McMahon (Earl of Desmond)
9 B. Woods (Killorglin Credit Union)
10 B. Greenwood (Recycling.Co.Uk-MG X Power)