With just one stage remaining in the world-ranked Tour of the Ardennes race, Tommy Evans is faring best of the Irish team. The former national champion finished a fine 5th on today’s 106-kilometre stage and, with two second-places in intermediate sprints, retains the lead in the sprint competition, which he seized yesterday. Evans’s Ireland team-mate Paddy Moriarty broke clear in the closing kilometers of today’s stage and looked set to secure second place, but in the fast downhill sweep to the line he was recaptured with just two kilometres remaining. However Evans sprinted well to take 5th place.
"It was a good ride today by the team," said national road manager Declan Byrne. "Although none of them did much in the morning time trial, they all rode well for Tommy this afternoon and Paddy was unlucky not to get second on the stage. He took off in pursuit of the lone leader just before a climb with seven kilometres to go, got 15 seconds but was swallowed up very close to the finish." Ireland rider Brian Kenneally retired after losing contact with the bunch on a first category climb, which came early on today’s stage. He is expected to come home to Ireland for a break and to prepare for the Tour of Algeria and the FBD Milk Rás.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
