Dillon Corkery of Team Ireland claims first Irish stage victory on Stage 4 of Rás Tailteann 2023 into Monaghan
Dillion Corkery of Team Ireland winning stage 4 of Rás Tailteann (Photo: Lorraine O’Sullivan)
Rás Tailteann Report: 20 May 2023
Dillon Corkery of Team Ireland won today’s FBD Insurance sponsored stage 4 after proving fastest in a sprint victory after 175.9km of racing.
Second over the line was Finn Crockett of Derry: Foyle CC followed by Matthew Fox of Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli. The general classification remains unchanged as Conor McGoldrick of UK: Trek Richardson continues to wear the Bective Stud yellow jersey leading by 4 seconds over Dan Gardener of UK: Embark Spirit followed by Joseph Laverick of the Derry: Foyle CC team in third.
McGoldrick also continues to lead the Cycling Ireland KoH classification, while the City Break Apartments points classification is still led by Matthew Fox of Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli following back-to-back victories over stage 2 and 3. JB Murphy of Cycling Leinster was first county rider home today and winner of the Festina County Rider award. Conn McDunphy of Cycling Leinster continues to wear the Sport Ireland county rider jersey following his placing today. Aaron Wade of Team Ireland also continues to lead the Spin 11 U23 classification.
How it Unfolded
Today’s stage 4 of Rás Tailteann 2023 saw the riders faced with a 175.9km journey from Charlestown to Monaghan which featured 3 categorised climbs.
After a ceremonial start in Charlestown town centre, the race commenced and maintained a blistering pace averaging 47.4km over the first hour of racing. A dangerous move of 11 riders went clear after 40km of racing which featured Dom Jackson of UK: Foran CC and Damien Clayton of UK: Embark Spirit who started the stage in 5th and 12th place respectively. Although the gap went out to over 3 minutes at one point, the yellow jersey Conor McGoldrick alongside his team UK: Trek Richardson organized a chase which saw the gap come down to 50 seconds with 40km of racing remaining. Marcus Christie of UK: CC Isle of Man pushed on alone up front but was reeled in by the chasing peloton within the last 15km of racing.
The most dangerous move of the day came in the last 10km when Dan Gardener of UK: Embark Spirit, who started the stage in 2nd place on general classification @ 4 seconds escaped with his teammate Joe Wilson and Dom Jackson of UK: Foran CCC. They gained an advantage of 22 seconds and it looked likely that they would hold out to contest the stage victory. It was heartbreak for Gardener, Jackson and Wilson as they were caught by the peloton inside the last kilometer of racing.
In the final 300 metres, Dillon Corkery of Team Ireland proved strongest as he crested the final hill to claim his first Rás stage victory. Finn Crockett of Derry: Foyle CC followed in second, and Matthew Fox of UK: Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli displayed his stage consistency placing in third.
All general classification riders including the race leader Conor McGoldrick finished safely in the leading group.
Tomorrow’s stage 5 see’s the riders take on the final stage of this year’s Rás Tailteann – 133.9km from Monaghan to Blackrock which will conclude with 4 laps of a 11.1km circuit.