Ras Mumhan - NE

Ireland, April 10-12, 2004

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Stage 5 - April 12: Killorglin-Killorglin, 58 miles

Dominant Downing takes overall

By Tommy Campbell

Russell Downing triumphed overall in the five stages Ras Mumhan that concluded yesterday in Killorglin held over the Bank Holiday weekend.

His lowest placing over the four days was eight in the time trial on Sunday and fifth in the opener on Friday. It was around the Ring of Kerry stage that he came to the fore and once in yellow it was plain sailing for the Sheffield joiner. Admittedly they had a very strong team who were well disciplined in the art of stage racing when it came to taking care of the leading brothers Dean who won the first stage on Friday.

Russell may have had some anxious moments when David O'Loughlin who certainly laid down a marker by winning the time trial on Sunday morning threatened his lead. Of course David will regret very much the penalty that he incurred on the Saturday stage when he was penalised 10 seconds. At the finish yesterday he was still upset about the incident, "I just could not believe when I read the GC sheet about the infringement, it certainly turned the event in favour of the Recycling.Co.Uk/MG XPower. Cards reversed it would have been the Hibernian Team Ireland lads who would had their work cut-out," said David.

The final act in this popular Credit Union Ras Mumhan event, which is establishing itself to the forefront of Irish cycling, was held in brilliant sunshine, which followed the competitors throughout the four days of competition. It was nail biting to say the least!

Despite the stranglehold the Recycling team had taken there were no shortage of aggressive cycling in an attempt to dislodge them over the final 58 miles with a start and finish in Killingly. Evidently the Irish team were fully intent on setting up a winning move, but in the end the policing of the stage by the race leaders team nullified everything. There were several attempts to catch then off guard, but in the end it was a bunch sprint with Russell getting to the line first for the third occasion. Eugene Moriarty from Dishtowel gave him a close contest but it was not to be for the Kerryman.

"Yes, it was a great event. I would have to say that my team were excellent. As regards the penalty that David received. I was sorry for the lad. All round it was a very sporting event and it brings back memories of my first visit to Ireland for the FBD Milk Ras in 1999. Philip Cassidy won it and I finished fifth. My future plans. On Saturday I'm in Birmingham for a criterium and then on to Greece for a stage race. Well as regards next year! Yes. I hope I'll come back to defend the title. My manager Philip Leigh has a great record in the race. As a manager he has won the race three times. Eh. I better stick with him," said Russell as he prepared to pack and catch a Ferry back to the UK.

Local hopes Micheal Conncannon Barry Woods from the promoting club Killorglin Credit Union won the respective Under-23 Awards for A and B categories.

Results

1 Russell Downing (Recycling.Co.Uk./MG Xpower)        2.03.12
2 E. Moriarty (Cycleways-Lee Strand)                     0.04
3 D. McCann (Hibernian Team Ireland)                     0.06
4 A. Crowley (Cycleways-Lee Strand)                      0.08
5 P. ealion (Usher Irish Road Club)
6 S. Whelan (DHL Walls)
7 R. Sharman (Recycling.Co.Uk./MG Xpower)
8 E. Murtagh (Ravens CC)
9 B. Woods (Killorglin Credit Union CC)
10 J. Stewart (London Irish)
 
Final general classification
 
1 R. Downing                                          9.24.41
2 D. O'Loughlin (Hibernian Team Ireland)                 0.12
3 D. Downing (Recycling.Co.Uk./MG Xpower)                0.20
4 A. Malarczyk (Dataphonics)                             1.02
5 McCann                                                 1.08
6 K. House (Recycling.Co.Uk./MG Xpower)                  1.12
7 R. Sharman (Recycling.Co.Uk./MG Xpower)                1.19
8 P. Griffin (Earl of Desmond)                           1.20
9 Moriarty                                               1.33
10 M. Conncannon (Killorglin Credit Union)               1.43