John Dempsey Dan Morrissey Carrick Wheelers claiming Stage 1 of 2010 Rás Chonamara
The club gained their second and third successes of the season thanks to John Dempsey’s rewarding victories in the Rás Chonamara 2-Day event. This 3 stage affair promoted by Galway Bay CC consisted of two 80km road stages separated by a 5km time trial.
It was in the opening stage where John gained his first triumph of the weekend when he was part of the four-man winning move that broke away from the main field during the opening kilometres of the event. This four man break away maintained almost a two minute advantage on the peleton all the way to the finish line, where Dempsey narrowly won the sprint from Jarlett Hasett of West Clare CC, to give him a satisfying victory and the overall lead heading into Stage 2, the 5 km individual time trial.
On Stage 2 Dempsey managed to record an excellent time, placing 5th in the individual time trial and more importantly posting a time, quicker than any of his Stage 1 break-away companions. Dempsey’s fine performance in the time trial allowed for him to maintain his lead in the General Classification and was duly presented with the yellow jersey as Race Leader before the third and final stage of the event. If Dempsey could finish with or ahead of his rivals the overall victory would be his.
Dempsey’s strength, fitness and tactics proved first-class on the final road stage as he marked his challengers throughout the 80km event, and the stage again came down to a group sprint finish amongst the race favourites. Dempsey was well placed in this leading group for a second stage win as they closed on the finish line, however, it was the strongman from West Clare, Hasett, going one better than the opening day of the event who claimed victory in stage 3, with Dempsey impressively crossing the line in second place, thus ensuring his overall win in the 2-Day Connachtcycling event.
These exciting victories for Clonmel’s John Dempsey, will give him and his Dan Morrissey Carrick Wheelers Cycling Club, the appetite, desire and motivation for more victories, in what has been to date a satisfying 2010 cycling season.
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