Ulster Dominate in Stage 2
There were 112 starters on stage 2 of the 2009 Suir Valley 3 day for the 93km stage.
The riders were eager to get going as they pressed along at 40kph in the neutralised section on the road to Ballymacarbry.
The fast hill start produced many attacks but none really established any great lead over the main field.
The first proper attack came when Martin Irvine (Eurocycles), Neil Delahaye(Usher IRC) and Tim Kennaugh (IOM) broke clear. They reached a max of 40 seconds before being joined by a large group which had resulted from a split in the bunch.
It was only on the Cat 2 climb of The Pike did the cracks begin to show. Tim Kennaugh (Isle of Man) was still showing the good form that scored him victory in the An Post Gorey 3 Day way back at Easter. Other riders showing plenty of aggression at the front at this stage was Mark Heneghan (South Dublin CC) Neil Delahaye( Usher IRC) Martin Irvine (Eurocycles). The climb on The Pike split the peloton into three distinct groups. Kennaugh was joined on the descent by seven more riders. Adam Armstrong, Martin Irvine (Eurocycles), Stephen O Sullivan (Engraveit.ie), Mick Reddan (Dublin Wheelers), Neil Delahaye(Usher IRC), Yellow Jersey David McCann (Ride Sport Racing) and Ashley Finn (Herbalife/Wheelbase).
Just before descending into Carrick on Suir the groups behind were merging and the gap was 45seconds. On the twisty sheltered back road towards Kilsheelan the gap opened to a max of 1min07 secs. The first of the attacks in the break came from the Junior, Kennaugh. He was quickly marked out by McCann.
Adam Armstrong but in a blistering attack to take Delahaye and Reddan with him but that too was chased down. Inside the final 3 kilometers the chase was really on as the gap was quickly reducing. 45 seconds at this stage.
On the technical run into the finish Armstrong attacked once more, taking the yellow jersey of McCann with him. Leading out the sprint in front of a large crowd outside Hearns Hotel Armstrong took the spoils from McCann. Reddan arrived in third 15seconds back with the remainder of the group at 19seconds. The chasing bunch stalled again as they were led in by Robin Kelly (Comeragh) 52seconds down.
So now, as the rain falls in Clonmel before the town centre crit, its McCann in yellow with a 44second advantage over O Sullivan with Paul Griffin (Earl of Desmond) in third at 56 seconds.
McCann also leads the points competition.
Heneghan leads the mountains competition.
Aidan Crowley (Engraveit.ie) leads the Hot Spot Competition.
1st Adam Armstrong Eurocycles 2h05m28
2nd David McCann Ride Sport Racing s.t
3rd Mick Reddan Dublin Wheelers @15”
4th Martin Irvine Eurocycles @17”
5th Ashley Finn Herbalife/Wheelbase
6th Neil Delahaye Usher IRC @19”
Overall
1st David McCann Ride Sport Racing
2nd Stephen O Sullivan Engraveit.ie @44”
3rd Paul Griffin Earl of Desmond @56”
4th Andy Roche IOM @1’05
5th Mick Reddan Dublin Wheelers @1’13
6th Mark Heneghan South Dublin CC @1’14