Donegal rider Odhran Doogan looks set for a strong finish after the penultimate stage of Rás Tailteann this afternoon.
He was wearing the leader’s yellow jersey for the second day in a row today as the competitors took on the 128km Ennis to Mountrath stage.
While today’s stage would be far from the longest on this year’s Rás, it was definitely one of the most gruelling – with three categorised climbs on the route, and a punishing Category 1 Wolftrap climb just before the stage end at Mountrath.
Doogan and his Team Cycling Ulster and Team Ireland teammates held prominent positions in the peloton throughout, but could not match a breakaway group of four riders that maintained a lead of excess of 20 seconds before the final climb.
While the breakaway group was trimmed to three riders by the end, the peloton couldn’t gain back the vital ground as the Isle of Man’s George Kimber took the Stage 4 win and the yellow jersey.
Doogan was classified in 14th by stage end, 28 seconds off the win but staying with the peloton right to the end.
Odhran is now third in the overall standings, 22s off the leader ahead of tomorrow’s final stage.
Doogan is still top in the County rider classification, in the top 5 of the points standings, and second in the Under 23 category ahead of an intense final day.
