Rás Dhun na nGall
Friday 29th May 2009 at TBC
Dane wears yellow jersey in Rás Dhun na nGall
A five strong team from the Pauley Cable Jointing/Pedalware Lakeland CC joined 140 riders in Killybegs on the June Bank holiday weekend for what is regularly described as one of the toughest three day races in Ireland.
The format takes in four stages in the area one of which is a short time trial. The race began with a 34 mile stage on the Friday evening which saw an attack by a Bray Wheelers rider namely Tigernach Murphy from the outset. A chase group soon formed with four of the five Lakeland in tow. This lone rider was chased down with only a few miles to go and a bunch sprint at the seafront in Killybegs decided the placings with Dane Dunlop finishing well up in fourth. Raymond Dunlop and Robbie Bryson also finished in this group with Kenny Boylan and John McManus coming in a short time later.
Saturday started with a short time trial in which Dane showed his class by posting a new record time and taking the stage win and with it the yellow jersey, not to be outdone Raymond, who is a past winner of this event, posted a time just a few seconds lower to see the cousins in first and sixth place respectively at the beginning of stage three.
It was indeed in this stage which blew the race apart and saw the jersey being taken from Dane by Tyrone rider Marcus Christie riding for the Usher Irish RC, who rode off leaving the rest in his wake. The fact that Raymond Dunlop's brakes came off left the Lakelanders with a weakened chase to defend the yellow jersey and Christie took the stage win by almost two minutes.
Stage four on the Sunday for Christie was a case of covering the all the breaks which he did ably. In the final classification the team finished strongly in a worthy third overall for the team prize and Dane in 8th. Robbie Bryson was next home in 17th and Raymond Dunlop in 30th overall. Next home and just a few minutes down was Kenny Boylan closely followed by John McManus. A big well done to the all the riders from the sponsors and club members this is truly a great achievement for the club and once again showing the Erne men's profile within Irish racing circles.