Tom Martin (Wheelbase CabTech Castelli) beat breakaway companion Will Perrett of Spirit TBW Stuart Hall Cycling to win stage 4 of Rás Tailteann, while Dom Jackson (Foran CT) led from the front to successfully defend his yellow jersey lead.
Featured image: Lorraine O’Sullivan
Report
Stage four of Rás Tailteann commenced with another high-octane start from Horse and Jockey in County Tipperary. The riders were off to a blistering pace, setting the tone for an intense day of racing. With Dom Jackson (Foran CT), Conn McDunphy (Skyline – Cadence), and Liam O’Brien (Team Ireland) starting the day on equal time, the race was poised to be a fierce contest decided by the sum of placings over previous stages.
Early in the stage, attacks were frequent and relentless. Within the first 10 kilometers, riders such as Jason Kenny (UCD) and Ciaran Maguire (Dan Morrissey Primor by Pissei) attempted to break away but were swiftly reeled in by the peloton. It wasn’t long before another breakaway formed, featuring notable names like Marcus Christie (CC Isle of Man) and defending champion Dillon Corkery (Team Ireland). This group of seven riders quickly established a 35-second lead as they entered Urlingford, showcasing the aggressive tactics of Team Ireland.
Rás Tailteann 2024. Stage 4 Horse and Jockey – Kildare 25/5/2024. Image: Lorraine O’Sullivan Dean Harvey in front of teammate Dillon Corkery during today’s stage
The race dynamics shifted as the leaders approached the first King of the Hills (KOH) climb at Byrnesgrove. Kieran Riley (Spellman Dublin Port CT) fell off the pace, and the gap extended to 1:20 with Dean Harvey and Dillon Corkery driving the break. Harvey led the group over the summit, setting a pattern that would continue through subsequent climbs.
As the stage progressed through Castlecomer and onto the narrow roads towards Gorteen, the leaders managed to hold their advantage. Team Ireland’s Harvey and Corkery were instrumental in maintaining the gap, which grew to 1:40 on the category one climb. Despite efforts from Logan Maclean (Killarney CC) to bridge the gap after the climb, the peloton kept the pressure high, gradually reducing the lead.
Approaching the final kilometres, the peloton, driven by yellow jersey holder Dom Jackson, managed to close the gap significantly. With the leaders’ advantage dwindling to just 10 seconds as they left Arles, a large bunch of approximately 80 riders came together, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
Rás Tailteann 2024. Stage 4 Horse and Jockey – Kildare 25/5/2024. Image: Lorraine O’Sullivan Race Leader Dom Jackson defends his yellow jersey from the front.
The final 20 kilometres saw multiple attempts to break free, with Tom Martin (Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli) making a decisive move alongside Will Perrett (Spirit TBW Stuart Hall Cycling) and Conal Scully (Dan Morrissey Primor by Pissei). This trio pushed hard, extending their lead to over a minute at one point. Ben Pease (Moonglu Race Team) tried valiantly to bridge the gap but found himself caught between the breakaway and the chasing peloton.
As the race neared Kildare Town, the leaders’ advantage fluctuated but held firm around 35 seconds with just 5 kilometres to go. In a dramatic turn, Scully crashed out, leaving Perrett and Martin to contest the stage win. Martin edged out Perrett in the final sprint, crossing the line two seconds ahead, while the main bunch, led by Jim Brown (Ribble Rebellion), finished 16 seconds behind.
Rás Tailteann 2024. Stage 4 Horse and Jockey – Kildare 25/5/2024. Image: Lorraine O’Sullivan Tom Martin of Wheelbase CabTech Castelli wins the stage
In the general classification, Dom Jackson retains the Bective Stud Yellow Jersey. Liam O’Brien (Team Ireland) continues to wear the Spin 11 U23 Jersey, while Matteo Cigala (Team Dan Morrissey Primor by Pissei) holds onto the Sport Ireland County Jersey.
Odhran Doogan (Team Ireland) takes over the City Break Apartments Green Points Jersey, and Dean Harvey (Team Ireland) claims the Irish Independent KOH Jersey. Tom Martin will don the FBD Stage Winner Jersey, and local rider JB Murphy is awarded the Festina Daily County Rider Award.
Tom Martin (Wheelbase CabTech Castelli) beat breakaway companion Will
Perrett of Spirit TBW Stuart Hall Cycling to win stage 4 of Rás Tailteann, while Dom Jackson (Foran CT) led from the front to successfully defend his yellow jersey lead.
Featured image: Lorraine O’Sullivan
Report
Stage four of Rás Tailteann commenced with another high-octane start from Horse and Jockey in County Tipperary. The riders were off to a blistering pace, setting the tone for an intense day of racing. With Dom Jackson (Foran CT), Conn McDunphy (Skyline – Cadence), and Liam O’Brien (Team Ireland) starting the day on equal time, the race was poised to be a fierce contest decided by the sum of placings over previous stages.
Early in the stage, attacks were frequent and relentless. Within the first 10 kilometers, riders such as Jason Kenny (UCD) and Ciaran Maguire (Dan Morrissey Primor by Pissei) attempted to break away but were swiftly reeled in by the peloton. It wasn’t long before another breakaway formed, featuring notable names like Marcus Christie (CC Isle of Man) and defending champion Dillon Corkery (Team Ireland). This group of seven riders quickly established a 35-second lead as they entered Urlingford, showcasing the aggressive tactics of Team Ireland.
Dean Harvey in front of teammate Dillon Corkery during today’s stage
The race dynamics shifted as the leaders approached the first King of the Hills (KOH) climb at Byrnesgrove. Kieran Riley (Spellman Dublin Port CT) fell off the pace, and the gap extended to 1:20 with Dean Harvey and Dillon Corkery driving the break. Harvey led the group over the summit, setting a pattern that would continue through subsequent climbs.
As the stage progressed through Castlecomer and onto the narrow roads towards Gorteen, the leaders managed to hold their advantage. Team Ireland’s Harvey and Corkery were instrumental in maintaining the gap, which grew to 1:40 on the category one climb. Despite efforts from Logan Maclean (Killarney CC) to bridge the gap after the climb, the peloton kept the pressure high, gradually reducing the lead.
Approaching the final kilometres, the peloton, driven by yellow jersey holder Dom Jackson, managed to close the gap significantly. With the leaders’ advantage dwindling to just 10 seconds as they left Arles, a large bunch of approximately 80 riders came together, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
Race Leader Dom Jackson defends his yellow jersey from the front.
The final 20 kilometres saw multiple attempts to break free, with Tom Martin (Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli) making a decisive move alongside Will Perrett (Spirit TBW Stuart Hall Cycling) and Conal Scully (Dan Morrissey Primor by Pissei). This trio pushed hard, extending their lead to over a minute at one point. Ben Pease (Moonglu Race Team) tried valiantly to bridge the gap but found himself caught between the breakaway and the chasing peloton.
As the race neared Kildare Town, the leaders’ advantage fluctuated but held firm around 35 seconds with just 5 kilometres to go. In a dramatic turn, Scully crashed out, leaving Perrett and Martin to contest the stage win. Martin edged out Perrett in the final sprint, crossing the line two seconds ahead, while the main bunch, led by Jim Brown (Ribble Rebellion), finished 16 seconds behind.
Tom Martin of Wheelbase CabTech Castelli wins the stage
In the general classification, Dom Jackson retains the Bective Stud Yellow Jersey. Liam O’Brien (Team Ireland) continues to wear the Spin 11 U23 Jersey, while Matteo Cigala (Team Dan Morrissey Primor by Pissei) holds onto the Sport Ireland County Jersey.
Odhran Doogan (Team Ireland) takes over the City Break Apartments Green Points Jersey, and Dean Harvey (Team Ireland) claims the Irish Independent KOH Jersey. Tom Martin will don the FBD Stage Winner Jersey, and local rider JB Murphy is awarded the Festina Daily County Rider Award.
Results
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