Successfully defending the race lead since he took over in Clonakilty last Thursday, Austrian rider Clemens Fankhauser sealed overall victory in the An Post Rás in Skerries yesterday.
Fankhauser (28) finished in the main chasing group 38 seconds behind the winner Davide Ballerini (Italy Team Idea 2010 ASD), who used a long-distance breakaway group to launch his successful solo move.
Fankhauser and his Austria Tirol Cycling team had earlier fended off attacks from his main general classification rivals, including second-placed Alex Peters of the Britain Madison Genesis team. They did likewise on Saturday’s difficult mountain stage from Carrick on Suir to Baltinglass, controlling the forays which went on climbs such as the first category Corabutt and Mount Leinster.
British rider Liam Holohan (Britain Madison Genesis) won in Baltinglass, leaving the general classification unchanged.
Fankhauser had said earlier in the week that if he were to win the race, it would be his biggest career success. He was clearly elated at the finish yesterday, signing autographs and soaking up the atmosphere.
"For me it is absolutely amazing," he told The Irish Times. "The people are great, there is always a big crowd and also the country is so nice. We had so many good impressions. It feels great to be the winner of such a nice race." High-speed chase Closest rival Peters started yesterday just 25 seconds back and got clear inside the first 40km. The speed had been very high and the move appeared more opportunistic than astute; it was soon closed down by Fankhauser and his team and then a less dangerous seven-man move containing eventual stage winner Ballerini, team-mate Alessandro Pettiti and Irish rider Christopher Reilly (Louth South) clipped away.
“I knew that some teams wanted to have a sprint today so we had a bit of support,” said Fankhauser. “Alex Peters was the only one who was really, really dangerous. He tried it sometimes, but fortunately I had my team around me and they really could protect me.”
Sean Downey was the best of the Irish riders in sixth overall, 58 seconds back.
