Tim Shoreman threaded the chaos of a harum-scarum finale with icy precision, unleashed a ferocious 200-metre kick to pip hometown hope Niall McLoughlin, and in one fell swoop pocketed the stage, the yellow jersey, the points lead and a generous fistful of bragging rights for Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli.
Featured image: Lorraine O’Sullivan
Report
Under cerulean skies in Drogheda, the 70th running of the Rás Tailteann eased no-one gently into its anniversary edition. A restless peloton of 145 riders fanned out along the Boyne and, with the flag barely dropped, the race was already fraying at the seams — attacks fizzing like shaken bidons in the heat.
An octet finally chiselled a minute of freedom: Peter Cocker (DAS-Richardsons), Aaron King (Wheelbase CabTech Castelli), Odhran Doogan (Cycling Ulster), Owen Wright (Canel’s – Java), Robin Fischer (Team Storck-Metropol Cycling), Danylo Riwnyi (Foran CT) and the Team Skyline pairing of Conn McDunphy and Ronan O’Connor. Doogan, all elbows and ambition, plundered the Kilnaleck prime and both hotspot sprints at Crossdoney and Mohill, banking six precious bonus seconds and advertising his GC designs early.
Defending champion Dom Jackson pictured during today’s opening stage. Image : Lorraine O’Sullivan
Behind, Matteo Cigala (Dan Morrissey Pissei) snatched the opening sprint in Gibbstown ahead of John Buller (Banbridge CC Specsavers) and one Tim Shoreman (Wheelbase CabTech Castelli) – a name that would echo round Boyle a few hours later. Up on Oldcastle Legends, Adam Lewis danced clear for first KOM points, the Skyline man pulling on the Irish Independent polka-dots for his trouble.
With 20 km left the day-long adventure was doomed. Great Britain, Connacht Cycling and Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli ratcheted up the tempo; tyres howled, gaps evaporated. Boyle’s flint-sharp finale – tight bends, a straight shot to the line – demanded immaculate timing. Shoreman provided it. Surfing the final lead-out wheels, the 22-year-old Brit launched late, unleashing a punch that left home hope Niall McLoughlin (Connacht Cycling) half a wheel short and GB track star Will Tidball (Great Britain) third.
Tim Shoreman of the UK Wheelbase team wins todays stage into Boyle Image : Lorraine O’Sullivan
“I knew I had the kick; it was about patience,” Shoreman said afterwards, jersey collar already gripped for the podium photograph. The victory delivers a yellow, a green and the day’s FBD stage-winner tunic to the Scot’s crowded shoulders, plus a five-second cushion over McLoughlin in the Bective Stud general classification.
Tim Shoreman threaded the chaos of a harum-scarum finale with icy precision, unleashed a ferocious 200-metre kick to pip hometown hope Niall McLoughlin, and in one fell swoop pocketed the stage, the yellow jersey, the points lead and a generous fistful of bragging rights for Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli.
Featured image: Lorraine O’Sullivan
Report
Under cerulean skies in Drogheda, the 70th running of the Rás Tailteann eased no-one gently into its anniversary edition. A restless peloton of 145 riders fanned out along the Boyne and, with the flag barely dropped, the race was already fraying at the seams — attacks fizzing like shaken bidons in the heat.
An octet finally chiselled a minute of freedom: Peter Cocker (DAS-Richardsons), Aaron King (Wheelbase CabTech Castelli), Odhran Doogan (Cycling Ulster), Owen Wright (Canel’s – Java), Robin Fischer (Team Storck-Metropol Cycling), Danylo Riwnyi (Foran CT) and the Team Skyline pairing of Conn McDunphy and Ronan O’Connor. Doogan, all elbows and ambition, plundered the Kilnaleck prime and both hotspot sprints at Crossdoney and Mohill, banking six precious bonus seconds and advertising his GC designs early.
Image : Lorraine O’Sullivan
Behind, Matteo Cigala (Dan Morrissey Pissei) snatched the opening sprint in Gibbstown ahead of John Buller (Banbridge CC Specsavers) and one Tim Shoreman (Wheelbase CabTech Castelli) – a name that would echo round Boyle a few hours later. Up on Oldcastle Legends, Adam Lewis danced clear for first KOM points, the Skyline man pulling on the Irish Independent polka-dots for his trouble.
With 20 km left the day-long adventure was doomed. Great Britain, Connacht Cycling and Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli ratcheted up the tempo; tyres howled, gaps evaporated. Boyle’s flint-sharp finale – tight bends, a straight shot to the line – demanded immaculate timing. Shoreman provided it. Surfing the final lead-out wheels, the 22-year-old Brit launched late, unleashing a punch that left home hope Niall McLoughlin (Connacht Cycling) half a wheel short and GB track star Will Tidball (Great Britain) third.
Image : Lorraine O’Sullivan
“I knew I had the kick; it was about patience,” Shoreman said afterwards, jersey collar already gripped for the podium photograph. The victory delivers a yellow, a green and the day’s FBD stage-winner tunic to the Scot’s crowded shoulders, plus a five-second cushion over McLoughlin in the Bective Stud general classification.
Results
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