An Post RAS – Final Stage

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Kruopis sprints to final An Post RAS stage victory, Postlberger wins the overall whilst Edmondson is 2nd and Mullen 3rd overall

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An Post RAS – Final Stage

Aidis Kruopis (An Post Chain Reaction) stormed to a final stage victory on this year’s An Post Rás winning an electrifying sprint to the line ahead of Davide Vigano (Team IDEA) and Damian Shaw (Louth Team Asea), who finished in second and third place.

The glory, however, belonged to Lukas Postlberger as the Tirol Cycling Team rider maintained his lead at the top of the general classification (GC) rankings to claim the coveted yellow jersey and deservedly be crowned Rás champion.

For the riders with a British connnection, two made the podium in Joshua Edmondson and Ryan Mullen (both An Post) while Rob Partridge (NFTO) was fourth.

THE RACE
The final stage of this year’s edition was the shortest of the eight days but the addition of an extra lap of the Skerries circuit was sure to enhance the day’s spectacle.

The action exploded from the off with a lead break of twelve including Kruopis and last year’s winner Clemens Fankhauser (Hrinkow Advarics Cycleangteam) attacking inside the first ten minutes. Among the breakaway also sat Christophe Steurs (Team 3M), Luke Grivell-Mellor (JLT Condor), Benjamin L’Hermitte (Team Pays De Dinan) and Matteo Malucelli (Team IDEA) in addition to four county riders: Ronan McLaughlin (Cork Aquablue), Marc Potts (DOWN Nth Graham Powerhouse Sport), Bryan McCrystal and Fraser Duncan (Louth Team Asea).

The lead group proved to be the break of the day with the dozen riders working efficiently to manufacture a one minute and fifteen second lead coming into the Newtown category three climb, the first of five grueling ascents.

The bunch, controlled by Postlberger’s Tirol team, began to slowly reel them in, reducing the deficit to forty seconds going in to the first of three laps of the Black Hills category three climb.

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Lithuanian, Kruopis, was in no mood to hang around however and attacked out front, being pursued only by Vigano and Grivell-Mellor. The latter however, was not able to maintain the furious pace and was dropped with two laps remaining.

The duo opened up a one-minute lead as they approached the final lap of the seaside town. It was then that Shaw decided to make his move with a late surge; a tactic the Westmeath man had used to secure podium finishes on the previous two stages. A lung-bursting effort by the Mullingar man saw him close the gap to just fifteen seconds setting up what was to be a spectacular finale. The crowd roared Shaw on as he caught the two leaders on the final straight but it was the former Orica GreenEdge man, Kruopis, who showed his class to stay the course and secure his second stage victory of this year’s race.

Today’s result capped a magnificent week for the An Post outfit, securing four stage wins with four riders also finishing in the top ten on the GC. After a bad crash on yesterday’s stage, newly crowned Rás champion Postlberger showed true grit and guile to come through the final day still in yellow. The Austrian rider was ecstatic with the overall victory and spoke highly of the support he received from the Irish public throughout the eight days.

“It’s really amazing to take this trophy. People speak of this race and how tough it is but you have to experience it yourself to really understand. I love this country and the people. The support they showed me over the eight days was something I’ll never forget. This is an honour for me to wear this yellow jersey so thank you to everyone.”

The An Post Chain Reaction team dominated the final jersey classifications; Aaron Gate retained the green Points jersey while Kruopis’ incredible performance today saw him win every climb along today’s route and claim the King of the Mountains jersey. Ryan Mullen held on to the Under-23 classification while Ian Richardson’s superb week saw him crowned as best County Rider, a title he held for the full eight days.

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STAGE
1 Kruopis,Aidis An Post Chain Reaction 2h53’27″
2 Vigano,Davide Team IDEA 2010 ASD
3 Shaw,Damien LOUTH Team Asea
4 Frame,Alex NEW ZEALAND National Team @08″
5 Malucelli,Matteo Team IDEA 2010 ASD @ s/t
6 de Man,Jaap Team 3M @ s/t
7 Cowan,Alexander CANADA National Team @ s/t
8 Minting,Alex Neon Velo Cycling Team @ s/t
9 Hofer,Andreas Hrinkow Advarics Cycling Team @ s/t
10 Robinson,Hugo Neon Velo Cycling Team @ s/t
11 Gate,Aaron An Post Chain Reaction @ s/t
12 Hawkins,Peter DOWN Nth Graham Powerhouse Sport @ s/t
13 Daniel,Aurelien Team Pays De Dinan @ s/t
14 Tizza,Marco Team IDEA 2010 ASD @ s/t
15 Dowling,Mark MEATH DID Electrical @ s/t
16 Gesbert,Elie Team Pays De Dinan @ s/t
17 Edmondson,Joshua An Post Chain Reaction @ s/t
18 Morton,Eoin DUBLIN UCD @ s/t
19 Marie,Rodolphe Team Pays De Dinan @ s/t
20 Ryan,Simon LIMERICK Mego RT @ s/t
21 McLaughlin,Ronan CORK Aquablue @ s/t
22 Watson,David DOWN Nth Graham Powerhouse Sport @ s/t
23 Montgomery,David Team 3M @ s/t
24 McCarthy,David JLT Condor @ s/t
25 Bain,Nick NEW ZEALAND National Team @ s/t
26 Laverack,Edward JLT Condor @ s/t
27 Schipflinger,Florian Tirol Cycling Team @ s/t
28 Benetseder,Josef Hrinkow Advarics Cycling Team @ s/t
29 Journiaux,Axel Team Pays De Dinan @ s/t
30 Pettiti,Alessandro Team IDEA 2010 ASD @ s/t
31 Richardson,Ian DUBLIN UCD @ s/t
32 Smith,Morgan Team Subaru-Albion @ s/t
33 Lawley,Steven Neon Velo Cycling Team @ s/t
34 Mullen,Ryan An Post Chain Reaction @ s/t
35 Fankhauser,Clemens Hrinkow Advarics Cycling Team @ s/t
36 Postlberger,Lukas Tirol Cycling Team @ s/t
37 Irvine,Martyn Madison Genesis @ s/t
38 MacKinnon,Sean CANADA National Team @ s/t
39 Partridge,Robert NFTO @ s/t
40 Lloyd,Rhys NFTO @ s/t
41 Wohrer,David Tirol Cycling Team @ s/t
42 Holmes,Matthew Madison Genesis @ s/t
43 McKenna,Sean CORK Aquablue @ s/t
44 Holohan,Liam Madison Genesis @33″
45 Moynihan,Cathal CORK Aquablue @47″
46 Coughlan,David CORK Strata3/Velorevolution RT @ s/t
47 Millar,Mark CAVAN Velo Cafe Magasin @ s/t
48 Lynch,John DUBLIN South Eurocycles @ s/t
49 Kergozou,Nicholas NEW ZEALAND National Team @ s/t
50 Hamiliton,David DOWN Nth Graham Powerhouse Sport @ s/t
51 Prendergast,Jason MAYO Coleman Electronics – T.K.E @ s/t
52 Murray,Stephen CORK Strata3/Velorevolution RT @ s/t
53 Hodge,John WATERFORD Dungarvan Minnies @ s/t
54 Morgan,Karl ANTRIM Phoenix @ s/t
55 Nulty,Javan MEATH DID Electrical @ s/t
56 Clarke,Patrick MAYO Coleman Electronics – T.K.E @ s/t
57 Flavin,Marcus WATERFORD Dungarvan Minnies @ s/t
58 Steurs,Christophe Team 3M @ s/t
59 Molyneaux,Daniel Team Subaru-Albion @ s/t
60 Woods,Des DOWN Newry Wheelers @ s/t
61 Reilly,Christopher DOWN Nth Graham Powerhouse Sport @ s/t
62 McArdle,Brian DUBLIN Orwell Wheelers @ s/t
63 Schonberger,Sebastian Tirol Cycling Team @ s/t
64 Kirwan,Peter DUBLIN Lucan Stagg Cycles @ s/t
65 Aitchison,Keegan Team Subaru-Albion @ s/t
66 McAuley,Alastair LOUTH Team Asea @ s/t
67 Dolan,Liam DUBLIN UCD @ s/t
68 Lacey,Sean CORK Aquablue @ s/t
69 Potts,Marc DOWN Nth Graham Powerhouse Sport @ s/t
70 Meehan,Andrew MEATH DID Electrical @ s/t
71 L’Hermitte,Benjamin Team Pays De Dinan @ s/t
72 Sheehan,Gary DUBLIN Bikeworx @ s/t
73 Aiken,Roger LOUTH Team Asea @ s/t
74 Walsh,Anthony CORK Aquablue @ s/t
75 Durrin,Jeremy Neon Velo Cycling Team @ s/t
76 Moriaty,Eugene MEATH DID Electrical @ s/t
77 Jelfs,Dominic Madison Genesis @ s/t
78 Dunne,Conor An Post Chain Reaction @ s/t
79 Cunningham,Derek DUBLIN Bikeworx @ s/t
80 Rea,Craig ANTRIM Phoenix @01’24″
81 Mudgway,Luke NEW ZEALAND National Team @47″
82 Kenny,Shane LIMERICK Mego RT @05’08″
83 Grivell-Mellor,Luke JLT Condor @06’16″
84 Caves,Aidan CANADA National Team @06’23″
85 Elliot,William CANADA National Team @ s/t
86 McCrystal,Bryan LOUTH Team Asea @06’25″
87 McGrady,Aaron ANTRIM Phoenix @06’45″
88 O’Regan,Tim MEATH DID Electrical @ s/t
89 Reilly,Dave DUBLIN South Eurocycles @ s/t
90 Quinn,Colm DOWN Newry Wheelers @ s/t
91 Saidov,Ulugbek USA Team Novo Nordisk Dev. @ s/t
92 Benhamouda,Mehdi USA Team Novo Nordisk Dev. @ s/t
93 Killeen,Ronan DUBLIN Lucan Stagg Cycles @ s/t
94 Ahern,Michael WATERFORD Dungarvan Minnies @ s/t
95 Hughes,Keith DUBLIN Bikeworx @ s/t
96 Rooney,Fergus ANTRIM Phoenix @ s/t
97 Campbell,Daragh USA Team Novo Nordisk Dev. @ s/t
98 Kelly,Robin MAYO Coleman Electronics – T.K.E @ s/t
99 Robinson,Colin MEATH Martin Donnelly/Fast Shipping @ s/t
100 Leonard,Michael DUBLIN Lucan Stagg Cycles @ s/t
101 Cox,Stuart MEATH Martin Donnelly/Fast Shipping @ s/t
102 Crean,Kieran CORK Strata3/Velorevolution RT @ s/t
103 Travers,Damian WATERFORD Dungarvan Minnies @ s/t
104 Tobin,Ken DUBLIN Bikeworx @ s/t
105 McMahon,Hugh CORK Strata3/Velorevolution RT @ s/t
106 Barras,Tom NFTO @ s/t
107 Murdoch,Peter Neon Velo Cycling Team @06’52″
108 Duncan,Fraser LOUTH Team Asea @ s/t
109 Brennan,David MAYO Mayo.ie @ s/t
110 Mueller,Andreas Hrinkow Advarics Cycling Team @ s/t
111 Schoibl,Mario Tirol Cycling Team @06’59″
112 O’Connell,Pajoe MAYO Mayo.ie @12’40″
113 Meaney,Richard MAYO Mayo.ie @ s/t
114 Staunton,Robert CORK Strata3/Velorevolution RT @ s/t
115 McClure,Reid USA Team Novo Nordisk Dev. @12’47″
116 Loftus,Alan LIMERICK Mego RT @ s/t
117 Lawless,James DUBLIN South Eurocycles @ s/t
118 Radley,Mark WATERFORD Dungarvan Minnies @15’37″
119 McGreevy,James MAYO Mayo.ie @15’57″
120 Butler,Michael DUBLIN Orwell Wheelers @17’16″
121 Laverty,Colm MEATH Martin Donnelly/Fast Shipping @20’30″
122 Coleman,Bobby LIMERICK Mego RT @ s/t
123 McDonagh,Richard DUBLIN Bikeworx @ s/t
124 Lewis,James NFTO @ s/t
125 Dwyer,Niall DUBLIN UCD @ s/t
126 Nicholls,Mark DUBLIN Lucan Stagg Cycles @23’29″
127 MacAodha,Nigel CAVAN Velo Cafe Magasin @ s/t
128 Blennerhassett,Tom DUBLIN Orwell Wheelers @ s/t
129 Doggett,Niall MEATH Martin Donnelly/Fast Shipping @ s/t
130 O’Connell,Keith MAYO Mayo.ie @24’37″
131 Hudson,Neal DUBLIN Orwell Wheelers @ s/t
132 Sheils,Gary CAVAN Velo Cafe Magasin @ s/t
133 Henry,Joe CAVAN Velo Cafe Magasin @ s/t
134 McCormack,Gareth DOWN Newry Wheelers @26’47″
135 Stewart,Daniel ANTRIM Phoenix @27’33″
136 O’Hagan,Niall CAVAN Velo Cafe Magasin @ s/t

OVERALL
1 Postlberger,Lukas Tirol Cycling Team 27h38’19″
2 Edmondson,Joshua An Post Chain Reaction @01’05″
3 Mullen,Ryan An Post Chain Reaction @02’19″
4 Partridge,Robert NFTO @03’10″
5 Gate,Aaron An Post Chain Reaction @04’29″
6 de Man,Jaap Team 3M @05’18″
7 Irvine,Martyn Madison Genesis @06’03″
8 Frame,Alex NEW ZEALAND National Team @07’31″
9 Kruopis,Aidis An Post Chain Reaction @07’48″
10 Richardson,Ian DUBLIN UCD @10’01″
11 Schonberger,Sebastian Tirol Cycling Team @12’21″
12 Dunne,Conor An Post Chain Reaction @12’33″
13 Vigano,Davide Team IDEA 2010 ASD @12’34″
14 Fankhauser,Clemens Hrinkow Advarics Cycling Team @12’59″
15 Benetseder,Josef Hrinkow Advarics Cycling Team @13’50″
16 Bain,Nick NEW ZEALAND National Team @13’51″
17 Steurs,Christophe Team 3M @14’23″
18 Gesbert,Elie Team Pays De Dinan @15’48″
19 Journiaux,Axel Team Pays De Dinan @16’24″
20 McKenna,Sean CORK Aquablue #NAME?
21 Lawley,Steven Neon Velo Cycling Team @18’15″
22 Malucelli,Matteo Team IDEA 2010 ASD @18’41″
23 Hofer,Andreas Hrinkow Advarics Cycling Team @19’05″
24 L’Hermitte,Benjamin Team Pays De Dinan @19’53″
25 MacKinnon,Sean CANADA National Team @20’14″
26 Potts,Marc DOWN Nth Graham Powerhouse Sport @20’43″
27 McLaughlin,Ronan CORK Aquablue @20’57″
28 Holohan,Liam Madison Genesis @23’06″
29 Tizza,Marco Team IDEA 2010 ASD @23’15″
30 Nulty,Javan MEATH DID Electrical @23’33″
31 Daniel,Aurelien Team Pays De Dinan @24’06″
32 Schipflinger,Florian Tirol Cycling Team @25’53″
33 Laverack,Edward JLT Condor @26’55″
34 Durrin,Jeremy Neon Velo Cycling Team #NAME?
35 Aiken,Roger LOUTH Team Asea @26’57″
36 Holmes,Matthew Madison Genesis @27’02″
37 Lloyd,Rhys NFTO @27’16″
38 Reilly,Christopher DOWN Nth Graham Powerhouse Sport @27’30″
39 Wohrer,David Tirol Cycling Team @28’00″
40 Walsh,Anthony CORK Aquablue @28’19″
41 McCrystal,Bryan LOUTH Team Asea @28’20″
42 Robinson,Hugo Neon Velo Cycling Team @29’31″
43 Watson,David DOWN Nth Graham Powerhouse Sport @30’43″
44 Kergozou,Nicholas NEW ZEALAND National Team @31’04″
45 Lacey,Sean CORK Aquablue @32’46″
46 Shaw,Damien LOUTH Team Asea @33’06″
47 Jelfs,Dominic Madison Genesis @34’34″
48 Lynch,John DUBLIN South Eurocycles @35’45″
49 Murray,Stephen CORK Strata3/Velorevolution RT @37’24″
50 Kelly,Robin MAYO Coleman Electronics – T.K.E @37’57″
51 Schoibl,Mario Tirol Cycling Team @38’25″
52 Ryan,Simon LIMERICK Mego RT @38’56″
53 Clarke,Patrick MAYO Coleman Electronics – T.K.E @39’41″
54 McAuley,Alastair LOUTH Team Asea @41’11″
55 Dowling,Mark MEATH DID Electrical @41’26″
56 Smith,Morgan Team Subaru-Albion @44’25″
57 Morgan,Karl ANTRIM Phoenix @44’33″
58 Cowan,Alexander CANADA National Team @44’35″
59 Grivell-Mellor,Luke JLT Condor @44’52″
60 Aitchison,Keegan Team Subaru-Albion @45’27″
61 Marie,Rodolphe Team Pays De Dinan @45’29″
62 Duncan,Fraser LOUTH Team Asea @46’42″
63 Sheehan,Gary DUBLIN Bikeworx @47’02″
64 Hawkins,Peter DOWN Nth Graham Powerhouse Sport @47’38″
65 Brennan,David MAYO Mayo.ie @48’56″
66 Meehan,Andrew MEATH DID Electrical @48’58″
67 Morton,Eoin DUBLIN UCD @49’20″
68 Montgomery,David Team 3M @51’57″
69 Murdoch,Peter Neon Velo Cycling Team @52’17″
70 Dolan,Liam DUBLIN UCD @52’45″
71 Benhamouda,Mehdi USA Team Novo Nordisk Dev. @54’57″
72 Lewis,James NFTO @55’12″
73 Elliot,William CANADA National Team @56’50″
74 Coughlan,David CORK Strata3/Velorevolution RT @57’37″
75 Moriaty,Eugene MEATH DID Electrical @58’24″
76 Millar,Mark CAVAN Velo Cafe Magasin @58’31″
77 Caves,Aidan CANADA National Team @59’38″
78 McArdle,Brian DUBLIN Orwell Wheelers @59’43″
79 Flavin,Marcus WATERFORD Dungarvan Minnies @1h00’45″
80 Mueller,Andreas Hrinkow Advarics Cycling Team @1h02’54″
81 Pettiti,Alessandro Team IDEA 2010 ASD @1h02’56″
82 Hodge,John WATERFORD Dungarvan Minnies @1h03’31″
83 Minting,Alex Neon Velo Cycling Team @1h04’21″
84 Hamiliton,David DOWN Nth Graham Powerhouse Sport @1h05’00″
85 Barras,Tom NFTO @1h05’06″
86 McGrady,Aaron ANTRIM Phoenix @1h05’08″
87 McCarthy,David JLT Condor @1h05’28″
88 McClure,Reid USA Team Novo Nordisk Dev. @1h05’30″
89 Prendergast,Jason MAYO Coleman Electronics – T.K.E @1h06’19″
90 Kirwan,Peter DUBLIN Lucan Stagg Cycles @1h07’03″
91 Cunningham,Derek DUBLIN Bikeworx @1h08’13″
92 Moynihan,Cathal CORK Aquablue @1h09’02″
93 Hughes,Keith DUBLIN Bikeworx @1h09’29″
94 Reilly,Dave DUBLIN South Eurocycles @1h09’39″
95 Mudgway,Luke NEW ZEALAND National Team @1h10’55″
96 Ahern,Michael WATERFORD Dungarvan Minnies @1h14’56″
97 Quinn,Colm DOWN Newry Wheelers @1h15’29″
98 McMahon,Hugh CORK Strata3/Velorevolution RT @1h16’11″
99 Tobin,Ken DUBLIN Bikeworx @1h16’12″
100 Woods,Des DOWN Newry Wheelers @1h17’55″
101 Rooney,Fergus ANTRIM Phoenix @1h21’52″
102 Killeen,Ronan DUBLIN Lucan Stagg Cycles @1h22’49″
103 Stewart,Daniel ANTRIM Phoenix @1h23’35″
104 Kenny,Shane LIMERICK Mego RT @1h25’16″
105 Campbell,Daragh USA Team Novo Nordisk Dev. @1h28’27″
106 Rea,Craig ANTRIM Phoenix @1h29’31″
107 Molyneaux,Daniel Team Subaru-Albion @1h31’11″
108 Cox,Stuart MEATH Martin Donnelly/Fast Shipping @1h36’18″
109 Crean,Kieran CORK Strata3/Velorevolution RT @1h37’41″
110 Meaney,Richard MAYO Mayo.ie @1h40’14″
111 Travers,Damian WATERFORD Dungarvan Minnies @1h40’37″
112 Leonard,Michael DUBLIN Lucan Stagg Cycles @1h43’21″
113 McCormack,Gareth DOWN Newry Wheelers @1h45’58″
114 Blennerhassett,Tom DUBLIN Orwell Wheelers @1h47’00″
115 O’Regan,Tim MEATH DID Electrical @1h48’57″
116 McGreevy,James MAYO Mayo.ie @1h51’15″
117 Laverty,Colm MEATH Martin Donnelly/Fast Shipping @2h00’05″
118 Radley,Mark WATERFORD Dungarvan Minnies @2h01’50″
119 O’Connell,Pajoe MAYO Mayo.ie @2h06’11″
120 Robinson,Colin MEATH Martin Donnelly/Fast Shipping @2h11’22″
121 Loftus,Alan LIMERICK Mego RT @2h14’30″
122 Saidov,Ulugbek USA Team Novo Nordisk Dev. @2h27’45″
123 McDonagh,Richard DUBLIN Bikeworx @2h28’06″
124 MacAodha,Nigel CAVAN Velo Cafe Magasin @2h29’39″
125 Coleman,Bobby LIMERICK Mego RT @2h31’25″
126 O’Connell,Keith MAYO Mayo.ie @2h38’00″
127 Butler,Michael DUBLIN Orwell Wheelers @2h41’20″
128 Lawless,James DUBLIN South Eurocycles @2h45’56″
129 Dwyer,Niall DUBLIN UCD @2h51’22″
130 Doggett,Niall MEATH Martin Donnelly/Fast Shipping @3h07’19″
131 Staunton,Robert CORK Strata3/Velorevolution RT @3h10’19″
132 Sheils,Gary CAVAN Velo Cafe Magasin @3h13’28″
133 Hudson,Neal DUBLIN Orwell Wheelers @3h14’17″
134 Henry,Joe CAVAN Velo Cafe Magasin @3h20’34″
135 O’Hagan,Niall CAVAN Velo Cafe Magasin @3h30’03″
136 Nicholls,Mark DUBLIN Lucan Stagg Cycles @3h57’26″

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