Ras Mumhan - NE

Ireland, April 10-12, 2004

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Stage 4 - April 11: Killarney Criterium, 1 hour & 3 laps

Downing still in charge

By Tommy Campbell

Russell Downing of Recycling.Co.Uk./MG XPower, has a seven second advantage for today's final stage of the Credit Union Ras Mumhan in Killorglin. Yesterday the remaining competitors had a double dose of racing with a time trial in the morning and a centre city around the streets of Killarney were thousands of people lined the 1.2-mile circuit.

David O'Loughlin of the Hibernian Team Ireland blitzed the test against the clock by covering the distance of ten miles in a record breaking 14 minutes and 51 seconds with the overnight leader Russell doing no better than eight place, but he still remained as the overall leader. The afternoon stage was fast and furious with several attempts to get clear of the main protagonists who were in contention. For a while it looked as though the overall's team mate Kristian House and Rory Wyley would be involved in the finish. Unfortunately Wyley was only there to police House and made no contribution to share the pace despite being clear of the pack for nine laps.

In the end the race leader who is also the National Criterium Champion in Britain, nullified the lead with his remaining teammates and in the dash to finishing line shaded O'Loughlin for the stage win.

Today's stage over 58 miles is not a foregone conclusion for the visitors, but they have a very well disciplined squad, but on paper O'Loughlin from Cong in Mayo is still in the equation for overall honours.

Results

1 Russell Downing  (Recycling.Co.Uk./MG Xpower)      1.11.32
2 D. O'Loughlin (Hibernian Team Ireland)
3 R. Koot (BRC Kennemerland)
4 B. Ahern (Team Rubex)
5 P. Griffin (Earl of Desmond)
6 E. Moriarty (Cycleways-Lee Strand)
 
General classification after stage 4
 
1 R. Downing                                         7.21.29
2 O'Loughlin                                            0.07
3 D. Downing, (Recycling.Co.Uk./MG Xpower)              0.15
4 D. McCann (Hibernian Team Ireland)                    0.54
5 K.House  (Recycling.Co.Uk./MG Xpower)                 0.57
6 A. Malarczyk (Dataphonics)