MARTIN DONNELLY JUNIOR TOUR 2005 - Stage 3
Westport to Cong
Bestebreurje
of Holland wins into Cong
By Tommy Campbell, Pictures Peter Purfield
Jul 14, 2005,
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| Tommy
Campbell reports from Castlebar |
Westport was the setting for the third
stage of the Junior Tour this morning. It is a well laid out town
planned by James Wyatt in 1780 with a pleasant tree lined mall.
Adjoining the town is the demesne of Westport House with ornamental
waters achieved by controlling the tides of the inlet of Clew Bay. The
finish at Cong, nestles on the shores of Lough Corrib. It has to be one
of the most picturesque and historical villages in all of Ireland. Over
countless millennia, its strategic location has drawn hunters, kings and
adventurers with something to interest them all and added to this is the
fourth stage of the Junior Tour sponsored by M. Donnelly.
The gauntlet was certainly thrown down yesterday on the third stage of
the Martin Donnelly Junior Tour when it was put up to the race leader,
Martin Munroe of the Irish team! He answered the call in a positive way
and got back into contention towards the end of a tough 55-mile stage,
which went from Westport to Cong to retain the yellow jersey.
Early on a group of seven forged ahead after 18 miles of racing against
a backdrop of Creggawnbawn, which was shrouded in mist.
They copper fastened their advantage in next to no time gaining up to a
minute. From a tactical point of view it was strange that Adam Armstrong
in fourth place in the overall standings and Fergus Keogh of the Irish
team were part of this group which included South African Dana Minne,
Rob Blunden from Wales, Adam Kenway of the British Cycling North West,
Michael Murray of Cycling Ulster and Willem Schwaner from Holland.
All with the exception of William Schwaner of the Dutch team who
obviously was suffering from his exertions in the break the day previous
for quiet a long distance made a contribution to the break. (Wednesday).
Their advantage nearly perished on the approach to the first King of the
Hills shortly after Aasleagh Falls, but once over the prime point that
was won by Dana Minne of South Africa they quickly regained their
momentum, but the minute advantage was seriously dented. Still they kept
to their task and at the subsequent KOH's Minne collected the maximum
number of points, which has put him in the lead of that competition.
Interestingly, Minne is regarded as a sprinter, but maybe now he'll
concentrate on his ability to climb to claim the title in this event.
The main contribution throughout the chase of the breakaway group was
the yellow jersey that was intent on not losing out.
It was with four miles to go that the race came together thus fusing a
very delicate situation on behalf of the Irish team. The drama for
Munroe was not over yet when a group of seven made a forward move which
took everybody by surprise, because of the pace that been exerted to
nullify the original break who had soldiered out in front for 32 miles.
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| Joey
Bestebreurje (BMV Veldhoven) wins Stage 3 after jumping clear on
the bunch with a small group of riders in the last 3 miles |
In the sprint to the line it was Dutchman Joey Bestebreurje who got the
verdict ahead of Ciaran Cassidy of the Navan/Avonmore team who got
second ahead of another Dutch competitor, Michael Robinson.
Significantly, Munroe retained his nine-second advantage, but he'll have
to watch over his shoulder as the leader board is beginning to take
shape with three tough stages remaining.
The points competition is being led by Maurice O'Brien from Kanturk with
the mountains jersey now resting on the shoulders of the South African
Dana Minne who collected all the points on offer yesterday. Stephen
Halpin remains at the top of the table as the First Year Junior, with
the team prize safely ensconced with Team Ireland.
Stage Three Martin Donnelly Junior Tour/Westport-Cong, 55 miles
Sponsored by the Irish Veterans Association.
Details:
Joey Bestebreurje (BMV Veldhoven), 2hrs.18mins.08secs;
2 Ciaran Cassidy (Navan/Avonmore CC), same time;
3 Michael Robinson (BMV Veldhoven), st;
4 Adam Bonsar (British West Midlands), st;
5 Gavin Browne (St. Finbarr's/Ventilux), st;
6 Dafydd Dyllan (Wales), st;
7 Willem Schwaner (BMV Veldhoven), st;
8 Daniel Clifford (Killorglin Credit Union CC), @10;
9 Maurice O'Brien (Kanturk Credit Union CC), st;
10 Lukas van Rensburg (South Africa),st.
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| The
Podium after Stage 3 - Munroe (Yellow) O'Brien (Green), Minne
(White/Red) & Halpin (White) |
Overall after three stages:
1 Martin Munroe (Ireland), 5hrs.2mins.21secs;
2 Michael Murray (Ulster), @9secs;
3 Ronan McLoughlin (McNally Swords CC), @10;
4 Adam Armstrong (Ireland), same time;
5 Maurice O'Brien (Kanturk Credit Union), @12;
6 Rob Blunden (Wales), @ 13;
7 Shaun Rock (Ireland), @17;
8 Schwaner, @19;
9 Patrick Vliegen (Holland A), @21;
10 Cassidy, @22.
Mountains: Dana Minne (South Africa)
Points: O'Brien.
1st Year Junior: Stephen Halpin (McNally Swords CC).
Team: Ireland.
Download
full results in PDF format c/o Seamus Shortall (RapidResults)
PICTURES
OF THE STAGE
Stage 3 starts in Westport with an 87.6Km stage around
County Mayo finishing in Cong.
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