Danylo Riwnyj takes yellow after a commanding solo effort into a block headwind — Gabriel Dellar third on the stage as Foran CT seize control of the race.
The queen stage of the 2026 Dornan Rás Mumhan delivered everything expected of it and then some. A 116-kilometre route from Killarney to Portmagee, across Bealach Oisín and over the notorious Coomanaspig, in winds averaging 40km/h with gusts topping 80 — the kind of conditions that reduce a stage race to its essentials. When it was done, Danylo Riwnyj (Foran CT) had the yellow jersey, Gabriel Dellar had the third place on the stage that confirmed what Friday had hinted at, and the British teams had turned a promising opening day into something that looks considerably more significant.
Featured image: Caroline Kerley
Stage 2 — Killarney to Portmagee, 116km
The wind dictated the day from the flag. With a block headwind across the first half of the course — 40km/h average, gusts above 80 — the peloton stayed together longer than the terrain might otherwise have allowed, the conditions savage enough to consume every team’s energy in the fight for position and shelter.
The first significant move came on the opening categorised climb, Bealach Oisín, where a dangerous group went clear and quickly built a two-minute lead. Key GC riders were present — enough to demand an immediate response. Riwnyj’s Foran teammates Dom Jackson, Thomas Doig, and Ollie Hucks went to the front and drove hard to bring it back. “They all just got to the front and rode as hard as possible,” Riwnyj said. “It just allowed me to keep safe that bit longer — keep the legs ready.” The break was caught.
Image: Caroline Kerley
A second move later in the stage went with a 2’30” gap but without the GC riders to make it a genuine threat. With the race entering the Coomanaspig — 12% gradient, 1.5km, the hardest ascent of the weekend — Riwnyj moved. He gained 30 seconds on the peloton over the summit but was still roughly a minute and a half down on the leaders. Then came the descent and 15 kilometres of block headwind to the finish in Portmagee. He committed entirely. “I just took it on myself,” he said, “fully commit into it and just ride as hard as possible to the end — gain as much GC time as possible whilst the lads behind would try and control the bunch.”
With 12 kilometres remaining, he bridged to the front group of three. The pace wasn’t sufficient for his purposes, so he attacked again on the next rise and shed the group to two. It was at this point that Nick Hoorsman (West Frisia) made his proposal: if Riwnyj was riding for GC, Hoorsman would work with him and take the stage win. They agreed, and the deal held to the line. Hoorsman won; Riwnyj crossed two seconds later. Behind them, the pair had put 1’06” into the peloton — a lead that transformed the general classification entirely.
Gabriel Dellar (Ride Revolution Coaching) was third, 55 seconds back — a result that, on just his second day at this race, announced him as one of the riders of the weekend. Ollie Hucks finished fifth for Foran CT, Felix Earth (O’Neills Spirit RT) sixth, Curtis Neill (Velo Performance Racing) seventh, and Josh Callaly eighth — all in the same group at 1’20”. Nathan Levitt came home 17th in the same group. Harry Howlett (Halesowen Academy–Mapei) finished 19th.
Image: Caroline Kerley
“It’s a significant race for the team,” Riwnyj said of the yellow jersey. “It’s one we’ve always wanted to win — probably one of the biggest in the calendar for us — and we’ve never actually won it in the five years we’ve attempted. We’ve had some horrible luck. Hopefully this year all the stars will align.”
He also flagged teammate Nathan Levitt, still only 18, who lies third in the U23 classification. “He’s right in the super race. That’ll be another goal for the team.”
Stage 3 runs on Sunday from Millstreet to the summit finish at Kerryman’s Table, 118 starters. Riwnyj’s plan is unambiguous: keep the powder dry, then attack on the final climb.
The queen stage of the 2026 Dornan Rás Mumhan delivered everything expected of it and then some. A 116-kilometre route from Killarney to Portmagee, across Bealach Oisín and over the notorious Coomanaspig, in winds averaging 40km/h with gusts topping 80 — the kind of conditions that reduce a stage race to its essentials. When it was done, Danylo Riwnyj (Foran CT) had the yellow jersey, Gabriel Dellar had the third place on the stage that confirmed what Friday had hinted at, and the British teams had turned a promising opening day into something that looks considerably more significant.
Featured image: Caroline Kerley
Stage 2 — Killarney to Portmagee, 116km
The wind dictated the day from the flag. With a block headwind across the first half of the course — 40km/h average, gusts above 80 — the peloton stayed together longer than the terrain might otherwise have allowed, the conditions savage enough to consume every team’s energy in the fight for position and shelter.
The first significant move came on the opening categorised climb, Bealach Oisín, where a dangerous group went clear and quickly built a two-minute lead. Key GC riders were present — enough to demand an immediate response. Riwnyj’s Foran teammates Dom Jackson, Thomas Doig, and Ollie Hucks went to the front and drove hard to bring it back. “They all just got to the front and rode as hard as possible,” Riwnyj said. “It just allowed me to keep safe that bit longer — keep the legs ready.” The break was caught.
A second move later in the stage went with a 2’30” gap but without the GC riders to make it a genuine threat. With the race entering the Coomanaspig — 12% gradient, 1.5km, the hardest ascent of the weekend — Riwnyj moved. He gained 30 seconds on the peloton over the summit but was still roughly a minute and a half down on the leaders. Then came the descent and 15 kilometres of block headwind to the finish in Portmagee. He committed entirely. “I just took it on myself,” he said, “fully commit into it and just ride as hard as possible to the end — gain as much GC time as possible whilst the lads behind would try and control the bunch.”
With 12 kilometres remaining, he bridged to the front group of three. The pace wasn’t sufficient for his purposes, so he attacked again on the next rise and shed the group to two. It was at this point that Nick Hoorsman (West Frisia) made his proposal: if Riwnyj was riding for GC, Hoorsman would work with him and take the stage win. They agreed, and the deal held to the line. Hoorsman won; Riwnyj crossed two seconds later. Behind them, the pair had put 1’06” into the peloton — a lead that transformed the general classification entirely.
Gabriel Dellar (Ride Revolution Coaching) was third, 55 seconds back — a result that, on just his second day at this race, announced him as one of the riders of the weekend. Ollie Hucks finished fifth for Foran CT, Felix Earth (O’Neills Spirit RT) sixth, Curtis Neill (Velo Performance Racing) seventh, and Josh Callaly eighth — all in the same group at 1’20”. Nathan Levitt came home 17th in the same group. Harry Howlett (Halesowen Academy–Mapei) finished 19th.
“It’s a significant race for the team,” Riwnyj said of the yellow jersey. “It’s one we’ve always wanted to win — probably one of the biggest in the calendar for us — and we’ve never actually won it in the five years we’ve attempted. We’ve had some horrible luck. Hopefully this year all the stars will align.”
He also flagged teammate Nathan Levitt, still only 18, who lies third in the U23 classification. “He’s right in the super race. That’ll be another goal for the team.”
Stage 3 runs on Sunday from Millstreet to the summit finish at Kerryman’s Table, 118 starters. Riwnyj’s plan is unambiguous: keep the powder dry, then attack on the final climb.
Stage 2 result — top 10
General classification — after stage 2
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