55th FBD Insurance Rás - 2.2

Ireland, May 20-27, 2007

Photos

Stage 8 - May 27: Newcastle – Skerries, 174 Kms

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Images by Stephen McMahon

David McCann (Ireland Subway) launched attack after attack in a bid to win the race overall. Here McCann leads Brian Kenneally (Meath MyHome.ie BDBC) onto the finishing circuit.
Dermot Nally (Ireland Subway) gave his best in support of David McCann's bid for the overall race win.
The Thuringer Energy team chased any attacks that threatened Tony Martin's yellow jersey.
Race leader Martin stayed cool, calm and collected despite some very aggressive racing.
The interests of second placed rider Paidi O'Brien (centre) were well protected by his Ireland Murphy & Gunn Sean Kelly team-mates Glen Bak (left) and Stephen Gallagher (right).
Brian Kenneally (Meath MyHome.ie BDBC) leads compatriot David McCann (Ireland Subway) onto the final lap of the race circuit in Skerries.
The Australian FRF Couriers NSWIS team led the main field onto the final lap.
Brian Kenneally (Meath MyHome.ie BDBC) inside the final 20 metres. The main field are literally breathing down his neck.
Kenneally rode both the ride of the week and the ride of his life to win his second stage and the Best placed County Rider prize.
A sweet victory for Brian Kenneally (Meath MyHome.ie BDBC).
Kenneally's team-mates and support team were overjoyed with the win.
As the exhaustion fades, Kenneally begins to savour his victory.
A smile creeps over his face on the way to the podium.
Rory Wyley (Tipperary Dan Morrissey) rode consistently to finish 18th overall.
Third place on Stage 8 went to Glen Bak (Ireland Murphy & Gunn Seam Kelly Team).
Andrei Mustonen (Kalev Chocolate) finished second on the stage.
Brian Kenneally (Meath MyHome.ie BDBC) receives his stage winner's jersey.
The Netherlands team won the prize for Best International Team.
Brian Kenneally (Meath MyHome.ie BDBC) receives the Cuchulainn trophy for Best Overall County rider.
The U23 classification award went to German rider Tony Martin (Thuringer Energy Team).
Ricardo Van der Velde (Netherlands) was awarded the Brendan Carroll trophy for his overall win in the mountains classification.
The Meath MyHome.ie BDBC team won the Best overall County Team prize: Aiden Crowley, Eugene Moriarty, Brian Kenneally, Scott McDonald, Stephen O'Sullivan and former Rás winner Seamus Kennedy (team manager).
Triple stage winner Dominique Rollin (Kodak Gallery Sierra Nevada) took the points classification prize which was presented by former Rás rider and Race Director Dermot Dignam.
Third place overall went to Peter McDonald (FRF Couriers NSWIS).
Paidi O'Brien rode brilliantly throughout the race to finish second overall.
Overall victory in the 2007 FBD Insurance Rás went to German Tony Martin (Thuringer Energy).
Tony Martin (Thuringer Energy).
The final podium of awarded riders on the 2007 Rás: Winner of Stage 8 and Best placed County rider Brian Kenneally (Meath MyHome.ie BDBC), points classification winner Dominique Rollin (Kodak Gallery Sierra Nevada), mountains classification winner Ricardo Van der Velde (Netherlands), overall victor Tony Martin (Thuringer Energy), second placed rider on Stage 8 Andrei Mustonen (Kalev Chocolate), second placed rider overall Paidi O'Brien (Murphy & Gunn Sean Kelly Team), third placed rider on Stage 8 Glen Bak (Murphy & Gunn Seam Kelly Team) and third placed rider overall Peter McDonald (FRF Couriers NSWIS).

Stage 7 - May 26: Derry – Newcastle, 165 Kms

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Images by Stephen McMahon

Dominique Rollin (Kodak Gallery Sierra Nevada) completed his hat trick by taking his third stage win of the race.
Canadian road race champion Dominique Rollin (Kodak Gallery Sierra Nevada) dominated the sprint and had ample time to celebrate his third stage win.
Dominique Rollin (Kodak Gallery Sierra Nevada) experienced a little turbulence on his final approach to his third stage victory of the 2007 Rás.
Leader of the mountains classification Ricardo Van der Velde (Netherlands) finished in the main group.
Former double winner of the race Chris Newton (Britain Stena Line/Recycling) discusses the finale with one of his team mates. ©: Stephen McMahon.
U23 classification leader Jesse Anthony (Kodak Gallery Sierra Nevada).
Current Irish U23 road race champion Paidi O'Brien (Murphy & Gunn/Sean Kelly Team).
Mart Ojavee (Kalev Chocolate) finished strongly but had to settle for second place on the stage.
Stage winner Dominique Rollin (Kodak Gallery Sierra Nevada) discusses the day's racing with David McCann (Ireland Subway Team).
Junior rider Liam McGreavey turned up to support fellow Banbridge rider Roger Aiken (Armagh Big Picture Developments).
Stage winner Dominique Rollin (Kodak Gallery Sierra Nevada) discusses aerodynamics with Aidan Crawley (Meath Myhome.ie BDBC) who was given the Best County Rider award.
Mart Ojavee (Kalev Chocolate) receives his bouquet for second place on the stage.
Dominique Rollin (Kodak Gallery Sierra Nevada) presents Miss FBD Rás with a rose from his winner's bouquet.
Ronan McLaughlin (Down Mar Properties) was presented with a special award for the best placed Down team rider.
Aidan Crawley (Meath Myhome.ie BDBC) receives the Best County Rider award.
Dominique Rollin (Kodak Gallery Sierra Nevada) was awarded his points leader jersey by former Rás winner Tommy Evans (left) and four month old Thomas Evans.
Race leader Tony Martin (Thuringer Energy Team).
The full podium: Third placed rider Ondrej Pavek (Sparta Praha), second placed rider Mart Ojavee (Kalev Chocolate), stage winner and points leader Dominique Rollin (Kodak Gallery Sierra Nevada), race leader Tony Martin (Thuringer Energy Team), best placed county rider Aidan Crawley (Meath Myhome.ie BDBC), leader of the mountains classification Ricardo Van der Velde (Netherlands), U23 classification leader Jesse Anthony (Kodak Gallery Sierra Nevada Team) and best placed County Down team rider Ronan McLaughlin (Down Mar Properies).
The Weapon of Mass Domination: Triple stage winner Dominique Rollin's Kuota Kredo.

Stage 6 - May 25: Buncrana – Derry, 96 Kms

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Images by Stephen McMahon

Dominique Rollin (Kodak Gallery Sierra Nevada) took his second stage win of the race.
Rollin approached the brutally steep final 200 metres with a slender lead and managed to hold off a fast finishing Marcel Barth (Germany Thuringer Energy Team)
Rollin celebrates a fine victory.
Another strong finish from Mark Cassidy (Ireland Murphy & Gunn/Sean Kelly Team).
Mountains leader Ricardo Van der Velde (Netherlands) pushed hard to the line.
Stephen Gallagher (Murphy & Gunn/Sean Kelly Team) rode strongly in the escape group to finish fifth.
An excellent seventh place for Isaac Spears (Dublin Murphy & Gunn Newlyn Group) was enough to give see him awarded the Best County Rider award on Stage 6.
Ondrej Pavek (Sparta Praha) finished ninth.
Brian Kenneally (Meath MyHome.ie BDBC) was glad to see the finish line after an exceptionally fast Stage 6.
Simon Jensen (Vision Bikes) and Paul Wright (North England West Pennine).
German rider Rene Birkenfeld (Stevens-Von-Hacht) shows his relief.
Padraig Marrey (Dublin Murphy & Gunn Newlyn Group) and Donegal man Ronan McLaughlin (Down Mar Properties) finishing in the main group.
Brendan Brooks (FRF Couriers NSWIS) was another rider pleased to see the finish line.
Jason Hegert and Chris Jory (FRF Couriers NSWIS).
Race leader Tony Martin (Thuringer Energy Team) seemed pleased with his performance.
Dominique Rollin (Kodak Gallery Sierra Nevada) took his second stage victory of the event.
Dominique Rollin (Kodak Gallery Sierra Nevada) is congratulated by one of his teammates.
A fair and noble victory: Dominique Rollin (Kodak Gallery Sierra Nevada) is congratulated on his win by Stephen Gallagher (Ireland Murphy & Gunn Sean Kelly Team).
Colm Bracken and Conor Murphy (Dublin Usher Insulations) trying to cool down in the shade after a furious ride from Buncrana to Derry City.
Stephen Gallagher (Murphy & Gunn/Sean Kelly Team) was happy with his fifth place on Stage 6.
Mark Cassidy (Murphy & Gunn/Sean Kelly Team) chats with stage winner and current Canadian Road Race Champion Dominique Rollin (Kodak Gallery Sierra Nevada).
Cassidy has good reason to smile after another strong performance.
Marcel Barth (Thuringer Energy Team) took second place on Stage 6.
Ricardo Van der Velde (Netherlands) maintained his lead in the mountains classification.
American Jesse Anthony (Kodak Gallery Sierra Nevada Team) was happy to have maintained his lead in the U23 rider classification.
Isaac Spears (Dublin Murphy & Gunn Newlyn Group) rode very strongly in the difficult finale and was awarded the Best County Rider prize.
A second stage win and a another green jersey: an excellent day in the saddle for French Canadian Dominique Rollin.
Race leader Tony Martin (Thuringer Energy Team) receives his yellow jersey.
The full podium: Best placed County Rider Isaac Spears (Dublin Murphy & Gunn Newlyn Group), third place on the stage Mark Cassidy (Murphy & Gunn/Sean Kelly Team), U23 classification leader Jesse Anthony (Kodak Gallery Sierra Nevada), double stage winner and points leader Dominique Rollin (Kodak Gallery Sierra Nevada), race leader Tony Martin (Thuringer Energy Team), second place on the stage Marcel Barth (Thuringer Energy Team) and leader of the mountains classification Ricardo Van der Velde (Netherlands).
The major players: U23 classification leader Jesse Anthony (Kodak Gallery Sierra Nevada), double stage winner and points leader Dominique Rollin (Kodak Gallery Sierra Nevada), race leader Tony Martin (Thuringer Energy Team), second place on the stage Marcel Barth (Thuringer Energy Team) and leader of the mountains classification Ricardo Van der Velde (Netherlands).

Stage 5 - May 24: Dungloe – Buncrana, 131 Kms

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Images by Stephen McMahon

A view of a section of the decisive climb 'Mamore Gap' on Stage 5 of the FBD Insurance Rás.
Nico Graf (Thuringer Energy Team) begins celebrating his victory.
Nico Graf (Thuringer Energy Team) celebrates his sprint victory ahead of Paidi O'Brien (Ireland Murphy & Gunn/Sean Kelly Team)
Current Irish U23 Road Race Champion Paidi O'Brien (Ireland Murphy & Gunn/Sean Kelly Team) rode brilliantly on to take his third podium finish in five days.
Leader of the mountains classification Ricardo Van der Velde (Netherlands)
Former double winner of the Rás Chris Newton (Britain Stena Line/Recycling) used his strength and experience to finish 4th
David McCann (Ireland Subway Team) rode strongly to finish 6th ahead of Donegal man Stephen Gallagher (Ireland Murphy & Gunn/Sean Kelly Team)
Belgian rider Glenn Bak (Ireland Murphy & Gunn/Sean Kelly Team) finished 8th.
Current Canadian Road Race Champion and winner of Stage 3 Dominique Rollin (Kodak Gallery Sierra Nevada)
Winner of Stage 2 Brian Kenneally (Meath MyHome.ie BDBC) and Rory Wyley (Tipperary Dan Morrissey Team)
Leader of the U23 classification Yvo Kusters (Netherlands) pushed hard until the line
Mark Walters, Ben Raby (Kodak Gallery Sierra Nevada) and Johannes Sickmuller (Stevens-Von-Hocht) finishing Stage 5
Cork native Paidi O'Brien finished second on the difficult and demanding stage
Nico Graf (Thuringer Energy Team) is congratulated by one of his team mates after winning Stage 5.
Kerryman Eugene Moriarty (Meath MyHome.ie BDBC Team) survived the wind, rain and demanding course.
Australian riders Chris Jory and Brendan Brooks (FRF Couriers NSWIS) lead a group of twelve riders across the finish line.
Irish rider Dermot Nally (Ireland Subway Team) after the finish.
Irish rider Martin Irvine (Ireland Subway Team) on his way to the team hotel.
Former Irish National Champion Ray Clarke (Tipperary Dan Morrissey Team) takes a moment to reflect on the day's racing.
Leader of the mountains classification Ricardo Van der Velde (Netherlands) is feeling the effects of his considerable efforts.
Local rider Ronan McLaughlin (Down Mar Properties) did his hometown proud by finishing the hardest stage of the race so far.
Three second placings on stage finishes and in second place on the general classification; Paidi O'Brien (Ireland Murphy & Gunn/Sean Kelly Team) has good reason to smile.
Nico Graf (Thuringer Energy Team) was very satisfied with his victory.
American Jesse Anthony (Kodak Gallery Sierra Nevada) was disappointed to relinquish his yellow jersey but did maintained his lead in the U23 rider classification.
Roger Aiken (Armagh Big Picture Development Team) took the county rider prize.
Canadian Road Race Champion Dominique Rollin (Kodak Gallery Sierra Nevada) rode strongly to maintain his lead in the points classification.
Tony Martin (Thuringer Energy Team) finished fifth on the stage and took the overall race lead.
The full podium of awarded riders: Points leader Dominique Rollin (Kodak Gallery Sierra Nevada), U23 classification leader Jesse Anthony (Kodak Gallery Sierra Nevada), race leader Tony Martin (Thuringer Energy Team), stage winner Nico Graf (Thuringer Energy Team), best placed county rider Roger Aiken (Armagh Big Picture Development Team), third on the stage and leader of the mountains classification Ricardo Van der Velde (Netherlands) and second on the stage and second overall on the general classification Paidi O'Brien (Ireland Murphy & Gunn/Sean Kelly Team).
Tony Martin (Thuringer Energy Team) in his yellow jersey.
Cyclingnews reporter Shane Stokes grabs a quick word from leader of the mountains classification Ricardo Van der Velde (Netherlands).

Stage 4 - May 23: Sligo – Dungloe, 138 Kms

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Images by Stephen McMahon

Estonian rider Mart Ojavee (Estonia Kalev Chocolate Team) battles it out with Tomas Hruby (Czech Republic Sparta Praha Team) and points leader Dominique Rollin (US Kodak Gallery Sierra Nevada) for victory.
Mart Ojavee (Estonia Kalev Chocolate Team) celebrates his victory on Stage 4 of the FBD Insurance Rás.
Points leader and winner of Stage 3 Dominique Rollin (US Kodak Gallery Sierra Nevada) ran out of road and had to settle for second place.
Current Irish Road Race Champion David McCann (Ireland Subway Team) finished in the main field.
Czech rider Tomas Hruby (Czech Republic Sparta Praha Team) enjoys the atmosphere on his way to the presentation podium on Stage 4 of the FBD Insurance Rás. Hruby finished third after a punishing uphill sprint.
Mart Ovajee (Estonia Kalev Chocolate Team) is presented with the stage winner's jersey after his win on Stage 4.
Kerryman Eugene Moriarty (Meath MyHome.ie BDBC Team) was awarded the best placed county rider award. This was the 11th time that Moriarty won the county rider prize.
Yvo Kusters (Netherlands) receives the white jersey for best placed U23 rider.
Dutchman Ricardo Van der Velde (Netherlands) receives the pink jersey of leader in the moutains classification.
American Jesse Anthony (US Kodak Gallery Sierra Nevada Team) retained his overall lead after finishing in the main bunch. Anthony leads the race by two seconds from Irishman Brian Kinneally (Meath MyHome.ie BDBC Team).
The full podium of awarded riders after Stage 4 of the FBD Insurance Rás. How many of these faces will we see tomorrow after the challanging ascent of Mamore Gap?
Current Canadian champion Dominique Rollin (US Kodak Gallery Sierra Nevada) was a little disappointed with his second place but satisfied with maintaining his lead in the points classification. He commented after the stage that 'an extra five metres and it would have been a different result'.

Stage 3 - May 22: Loughrea – Sligo, 171 Kms

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Images by Stephen McMahon

Current Canandian road race champion Dominique Rollin (US Kodak Gallery Sierra Nevada Team) takes a convincing victory in Sligo on Stage 3.
Dominique Rollin (US Kodak Gallery Sierra Nevada Team) leads the group sprint.
Graham Briggs (Britain Stenna Line/Recycling Team) leads home Glenn Bak (Ireland Murphy & Gunn/Sean Kelly Cycling Team).
Canandian Dominique Rollin (US Kodak Gallery Sierra Nevada Team) was delighted with taking his team's first victory in Europe.
Winner of Stage 2 Brian Kenneally (Meath MyHome.ie BDBC Team) after a tough Stage 3 from Loughrea to Sligo.
Stephen Gallagher (Ireland Murphy & Gunn/Sean Kelly Cycling Team) makes his way to the team hotel after a tough stage.
Dermot Nally and Mark Scanlon (Ireland Subway Team) finish in the main field. The stage finished in Sligo, Scanlon's home county.
Stage 3 winner Dominique Rollin (US Kodak Gallery Sierra Nevada Team) discusses the sprint finish with third placed rider Paul Griffin (Ireland Subway Team), Brian Ahern (Dublin DTC Orwell Wheelers) and second placed rider Paidi O'Brien (Ireland Murphy & Gunn/Sean Kelly Cycling Team).
Dublin DTC Orwell Wheelers rider Brian Ahern receives the award for best placed county rider on the General Classification.
Dominique Rollin (US Kodak Gallery Sierra Nevada Team) receives the points leader's green jersey.
US Kodak Gallery Sierra Nevada rider Jesse Anthony receives the yellow jersey after taking the lead. He leads the race by 2 seconds from Stage 2 winner Brian Kenneally (Meath MyHome.ie BDBC Team).
The prize winners and jersey holders make up the podium.

Stage 2 - May 21: Templemore – Loughrea, 147 Kms

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Images by Stephen McMahon

Brian Kenneally begins celebrating his victory on Stage 2
Brian Kenneally (Meath MyHome.ie BDBC) was overjoyed with his solo victory on Stage 2
Kenneally receives his Stage 2 Winner's jersey in Loughrea, County Galway.
Kenneally punches the air after winning Stage 2
Brian Kenneally crosses the finish line on Stage 2
Chris Newton (Stena Line/Recycling) broke clear from the main field to finish 14th on Stage 2
Murphy & Gunn Newlyn Group rider Derek Burke brings home a large group of the main field on Stage 2
Stage winner Brian Kenneally (Meath MyHome.ie BDBC) race leader Ricardo Van der Velde (Netherlands National Team) and leader of the Mountains Classification Jesse Anthony (US Kodak Gallery Sierra Nevada) make up the podium on Stage 2
The full podium of awarded riders on Stage 2
Ryan Roth (USA Kelly Benefit Strategies) receives his podium bouquet for 3rd place on Stage 2
Tony Martin riding with the Germany Thuringer Energy Team, pips Ryan Roth (USA Kelly Benefit Strategies) for second on Stage 2