Welcome to this year’s Ras Tailteann where the elite of sprinters of the PT and PCT will battle it all out as the first stage is pan flat – as well as the other two stages to come. It’s no surprise time bonuses are awarded for the top 10 of each stage. Also there’s no KoM classification.
The first attacker of the day is a certain Quispe. Not sure we’ve ever heard of him before. He’s joined by Lecourt De Billot. The Peruvian takes the first bonus seconds in front of the Mauritian while Philipsen takes the last second from the peloton.
The attackers aren’t allowed much of a gap and are finally chased down by ISA – Hexacta and cycleYorkshire with less than 30 km done.
The two teams don’t let anyone attack afterwards and it seems they’re willing to keep the pace high for the entire stage. There’s no echelons or anything, so it’s not clear why they do so.
The second intermediate sprint is won by Dainese in front of Ewan and Vesely. The peloton is still complete with 82 km to go.
The last intermediate sprint is won by Kemboi in front of Ewan and Dainese. It’s only 23 km to go now.
With 5 km to go the sprint preparations are on its way with Rabobank in the front. They still have 4 riders in front of their sprinter Grosu. Gaviria is the only other sprinter with a leadout in front of him.
With 2.5 km Gaviria is already in second position behind his final leadout. Besides him are two Rabobank domestiques while their captain Grosu is on Ewans wheel right behind them. The other sprinters are bunched around and behind them.
Oh well, with 1.7 km to go Van der Kooij accelerates, probably to lead out Grosu. But the Romanian NC has to fight hard to get to his teammates wheel and it’s still a long way to go. That’s looking like another mixed up sprint by the Dutch team. Gaviria and Ewan are right behind and can only hope they don’t have to launch too early too.
Under the kite Grosu is already in front with Gaviria still close.
With 500 m to go the Romanian has already massively fallen back, now it’s Gaviria in front with Kragh Andersen and Carsi closest behind him. The wide and curvy road will make it hard to keep track.
With 200 m to go the Columbian is done too. The fastest man seems to be Manninen who’s already in front now. Kragh Andersen is still in second with Einhorn right on his side.
And the Flying Fin takes the win! Cullaigh snatches second place on the far right. Einhorn edges out Kragh Andersen for the final podium spot. 5th place goes to Dainese who was fast like a rocket in the end and probably would have won if the race went for another 50 m. Aniolkowski, Kemboi, Gaviria, Petit and Zabel take the remaining time bonuses and complete the top 10.
Manninen obviously takes the GC as well as the points lead. Dainese leads the U25 classification.
[PTHC] Ras Tailteann 
