Almost two decades after Kristian House of Britain and American Danny Pate ended in a tie at the Rás Tailteann, Dom Jackson secured a narrow victory in a recent version of the race. In this nail-biting event, the British athlete from Foran CT held off intense competition from two cyclists with the same overall score – Conn McDunphy, an Irishman from the American team Skyline-Cadence, and Liam O’Brien from Team Ireland.
Jackson managed to counter several offensive moves in the concluding stage to Bective, thereby preserving the lead he had gained due to superior stage scores. At the end of a high-stress race day, which also saw fellow Brit Tim Shoreman from the UK team Wheelbase-Cabtech-Castelli log a sprint triumph, an overwhelmed Jackson found himself lost for words.
The 26-year-old cyclist spoke about the overwhelming emotions he experienced after his massive win, admitting that there were moments of self-doubt. However, he was relieved to see his teammates rally by his side and manage to get the chase back on course, just when he thought the day was lost.
The race course that originated from Maynooth was primarily flat and favoured speedy riders. McDunphy pressed hard approximately halfway through the 155km race. He spoke about the tough and long terrains after Donore village and his determination to keep pushing forward, despite the demanding speeds.
O’Brien, on the other hand, experienced a disheartening day with low energy levels and an unsuccessful attempt at an offensive move. However, given his impressive performance in the race, despite only being 19 years old, he brings promise for future races. O’Brien, a member of the Lidl-Trek Future Racing team – a feeder squad for the Lidl-Trek WorldTour team, could be a shining star in the years to come.
During the final phases near Bective Stud, there were numerous assault attempts. One of these was made by Rás Dillon Corkery, last year’s victor, who aimed to close his 32-second gap and claim another victory. This move was a challenge for Jackson, who confessed he was under pressure when it occurred but was relieved when the contenders for the stage win sped up and regrouped everything.
Shoreman then initiated his advancement, incurring a decisive lead just before the turn towards the finishing straight. He stated, “Given there were several circuit laps, I understood that I had to lead at the final corner. I managed to do so and it proved successful.”
John Buller from Spellman Dublin Port in Ireland finished as the top Irishman in the third position, while an overjoyed and significantly relieved Jackson clinched his overall win preceding McDunphy and O’Brien.
Results from Rás Tailteann:
Stage 5 from Maynooth to Bective: 1st position went to Tim Shoreman from UK’s Wheelbase-Cabtech-Castelli, who covered 155.6km in 3 hours and 18 minutes. The follow-up was J Brown from UK’s Ribble Revolution with a 1second delay. The listing further included participants like J Buller from Spellman Dublin Port, Ireland, D Corkery from Team Ireland, and L Flanagan from Skyline-Cadence, USA, all sharing the same completion time.
For the mid sprints/King of the Mountains prizes, Conor McGoldrick from UK’s Richardsons Trek DAS won the Category 3 climb at Gabriel Howard Cromwell’s Bush. The Ben and Oliver McKenna prize was claimed by Odhran Doogan from Team Ireland, and the Alan Byrne Memorial prize went to Pablo Alarcon Carlos from Mexico’s Canel’s-Java.
The Hill of Quillan witnessed a Category 3 climb where Jacob Smith of UK’s Wheelbase-Cabtech-Castelli team took first place with 5pts, trailed by Alarcon Carlos and McGoldrick. The first prime went to John Buller of Ireland’s Spellman Dublin Port, while Dillon Corkery won the second Ned Reilly prime.
In the County rider ranking, Matteo Cigala from Carlow’s Dan Morrissey Primor by Pissei team won, completing it in 3 hours 18′03″. He was followed by P O’Loughlin of Kerry’s Killarney CC and D Feeley of Cork’s All Human-VeloRevolution, who both finished in the same time.
In the national/international team ranking, UK’s Wheelbase-Cabtech-Castelli claimed the top spot with a total of 9 hours 54′08″, closely followed by Ireland’s Team Ireland, and UK’s Ride Revolution Coaching, both tied.
In the Irish county/provincial team category, Cork’s All Human-VeloRevolution achieved the first place with a time of 9 hours 54′09″, trailed by Wicklow’s Clara Joinery Bray Wheelers and Meath’s Moynalty CC, both clocking in at the same time.
The Final general classification saw Dom Jackson of UK’s Foran CT prevail with 17 hours 3′28″, with McDunphy and L O’Brien of Team Ireland matching his time. G Peden of UK’s Team PB Performance was at 15″, followed by W Perrett of Spirit TBW Stuart Hall Cycling at 16″ and D McDermott of Ride Revolution Coaching at 17″.
The points classification placed Tim Shoreman of UK’s Wheelbase-Cabtech-Castelli at the top with 44 points, trailed by J Buller of Ireland’s Spellman Dublin Port with 41 points, and Corkery with 39 points.
The Mountains competition was won by Dean Harvey of Team Ireland with 49 points, followed by D Corkery with 45 points and McGoldrick with 44 points.
In the Under 23 category, Liam O’Brien from Team Ireland clinched the victory with a time of 17 hours 3’28”, followed by E Scanlon Warren from Spain’s Brocar Rali Ale at 32″ and R O’Connor from Cycling Leinster on a similar time.
In the Irish county rider classification, Matteo Cigala representing Dan Morrissey Primor by Pissei, Carlow, was the frontrunner with a time of 17 hours 04′, closely followed by D Feeley from All Human-VeloRevolution, Cork with the same time and P O’Loughlin trailing behind by 1’33.
For Cycling Ireland’s A2 overall category, Greg Clarke from Clara Joinery Bray Wheelers, Wicklow took the lead with a time of 17 hours 5’33”, followed by D Culloty from All Human-VeloRevolution, Cork clocking in at 2’19” and R Tuomey from O’Leary Stone Kanturk CC, Cork at 11’55.
Representing Galway Bay CC, Galway, Derek Joyce was the top Cycling Ireland A3 rider, completing his event with a time of 18 hours 50’53”.
On the national/international team leaderboard, USA’s Skyline-Cadence held the number one spot with a time of 51 hours 12’40”, narrowly followed by Team Ireland trailing by 6″ and UK’s Wheelbase-Cabtech-Castelli by 1″.
In the Irish County/Provincial Team category, All Human-VeloRevolution from Cork lead the way with a total time of 51 hours 15’06”, followed by the Cycling Leinster team from Ireland clocking in at 11’55 and Clara Joinery Bray Wheelers, Wicklow coming in third with a time of 28’20”.