George Kimber (Cycling Club Isle of Man) took victory on stage 4 of Rás Tailteann, sprinting clear of Team Ireland duo Jamie Meehan and Dean Harvey in Mountrath to claim both the stage and the race lead with just one stage remaining.
George Kimber (Cycling Club Isle of Man) took victory on stage 4 of Rás Tailteann (24 May), sprinting clear of Team Ireland duo Jamie Meehan and Dean Harvey in Mountrath to claim both the stage and the race lead with just one stage remaining.
Featured image: Lorraine O’Sullivan
Report
The 128.1km stage from Ennis to Mountrath came to life on the final climb of the day – the Cat 1 Wolftrap – where Kimber, Meehan and Harvey broke clear from the peloton. The trio crested the summit with a slender lead and held it to the finish, with Kimber outsprinting the Team Ireland duo to take the stage victory. Meehan finished on the same time, while Harvey placed third, two seconds behind.
After 128 kilometres of racing from Ennis, the final selection was made on the Wolftrap climb — the last categorised ascent of the day, cresting 14km from the finish. A six-rider breakaway had led into the base of the climb with a gap of around 45 seconds. That move included Dom Jackson (Foran CT), Tom Martin (Wheelbase-CabTech Castelli), Kim Satchel (Good Guys Racing NYC), Cian Keogh (Team Skyline), Gareth O’Neill (Cycling Ulster), and Evan Keane (Pinergy Orwell Wheelers).
George Kimber of the Isle of Man team wins. Image: Lorraine OÕSullivan
But the general classification contenders saw their opportunity and struck on the slopes. Over the top, Kimber forged clear with Meehan and Harvey, and the trio worked together to extend their advantage to 28 seconds by the finish.
Kimber, who rides for Spirit Racing Team in the British domestic scene, also won the 2024 National Road Series. His victory today continues an unbroken run of British wins at this year’s Rás, following stage victories for Tim Shoreman (Wheelbase-CabTech Castelli) on stages 1 and 3, and Will Perrett (DAS Richardsons) on stage 2.
The general classification has now turned on its head. Kimber leads overall by five seconds from Meehan, with previous race leader Odhrán Doogan (Cycling Ulster) slipping to third at 22 seconds. Meehan retains the white jersey as best under-23 rider, while Doogan continues to lead the Irish county rider standings.
With one stage remaining – a 154.6km run from Maynooth to Bective – the race remains finely poised. Kimber leads by five seconds, Meehan is within striking distance, and Doogan is still well in contention. After four days of British dominance, Ireland’s national team and county riders will be desperate to turn the tide on home roads.
George Kimber (Cycling Club Isle of Man) took victory on stage 4 of Rás Tailteann (24 May), sprinting clear of Team Ireland duo Jamie Meehan and Dean Harvey in Mountrath to claim both the stage and the race lead with just one stage remaining.
Featured image: Lorraine O’Sullivan
Report
The 128.1km stage from Ennis to Mountrath came to life on the final climb of the day – the Cat 1 Wolftrap – where Kimber, Meehan and Harvey broke clear from the peloton. The trio crested the summit with a slender lead and held it to the finish, with Kimber outsprinting the Team Ireland duo to take the stage victory. Meehan finished on the same time, while Harvey placed third, two seconds behind.
After 128 kilometres of racing from Ennis, the final selection was made on the Wolftrap climb — the last categorised ascent of the day, cresting 14km from the finish. A six-rider breakaway had led into the base of the climb with a gap of around 45 seconds. That move included Dom Jackson (Foran CT), Tom Martin (Wheelbase-CabTech Castelli), Kim Satchel (Good Guys Racing NYC), Cian Keogh (Team Skyline), Gareth O’Neill (Cycling Ulster), and Evan Keane (Pinergy Orwell Wheelers).
But the general classification contenders saw their opportunity and struck on the slopes. Over the top, Kimber forged clear with Meehan and Harvey, and the trio worked together to extend their advantage to 28 seconds by the finish.
Kimber, who rides for Spirit Racing Team in the British domestic scene, also won the 2024 National Road Series. His victory today continues an unbroken run of British wins at this year’s Rás, following stage victories for Tim Shoreman (Wheelbase-CabTech Castelli) on stages 1 and 3, and Will Perrett (DAS Richardsons) on stage 2.
The general classification has now turned on its head. Kimber leads overall by five seconds from Meehan, with previous race leader Odhrán Doogan (Cycling Ulster) slipping to third at 22 seconds. Meehan retains the white jersey as best under-23 rider, while Doogan continues to lead the Irish county rider standings.
With one stage remaining – a 154.6km run from Maynooth to Bective – the race remains finely poised. Kimber leads by five seconds, Meehan is within striking distance, and Doogan is still well in contention. After four days of British dominance, Ireland’s national team and county riders will be desperate to turn the tide on home roads.
Results
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