Ryan Sherlock of Iverek/Carrick Wheelers CC went to the top of the leaderboard after stage three of the Kerry Group Ras Mumhan. The stage took in Waterville with a start and finish which included a visit to Valentia Island a total distance of 142kms.. Conditions were overcast for the competitors who took to the start which included a number of tough category climbs which softened up the racers. But, from the off it was Adam Armstrong of Eurocycles who stirred up the action which included eight breakaway companions alongside in the break that dominated the event for over half of the stage.
When the lead group on the road where reeled in by a chase group of 19 riders, minus the overnight leader Mark Dowling of DID/Dunboyne CC who failed to match a break that went clear with 35kms to go. At one time, he was in arrears by over three minutes, but his team made a recovery to get him back into contention, to cut his losses, but they were not sufficient for him to lead the race into the final stage . In the dash for the finish in Waterville, it was Conor Murphy of Eurocycles who soloed to victory, but the day belonged to Ryan Sherlock as he heads into the final stage which will start and finish in Killorglin. tomorrow.
1Conor Murphy (Eurocycles), 3hrs.30mins.40secs;
2 Colin Parrey (Primal Europe), @15secs;
3 Ryan Scherlock (IVERK/ Carrick Wheelers), same time;
4 Andy Betts (Felt Colbornes), st;
5 Damien Shaw (Lakelands/Mulingar), @17secs;
6 Dennis Bakker (Ruiter Dakkapellen), st.
Overall after three of four stages
1 Sherlock,
2 Parry, @2secs;
3 Bakker, @46secs;
4 Tom Stockdale (Primal Europe), @54;
5 Chris McNamara (Surrey), @56;
6 George Harpur (Felt Colborne)), @1.08.
KOM-Adam Armstrong (Euirocycles).
Under-23/Bakker.
Points-Bakker.
Senior Two/Matt Slattery (Killarney CC).
Photos by Pat Doherty
