Team Ireland rider Michael McNena has won the first stage of the GP de la Ville de la St. Raphael race, near Nice. McNena, who was racing in the colours of his VC La Pomme team, broke clear in a group shortly after the start of the 123 kilometre opening leg and then forged ahead with two Frenchmen and an Estonian.
In the closing stages, McNena and one of the French riders escaped. McNena recalled: "One of the guys on the French Police team attacked and I got straight on his wheel. We rode hard in the last 5 kilometres, but I was doing more work than him as I think he was hoping his team-mate would come up to us. The last 500 metres were uphill, I was in the lead but he jumped around me just before the final corner, with about 300 metres left. I got back up to him, though, and went by him before the line."
Delighted with his first victory abroad this year, he added: "It is great to get a win under my belt." VC La Pomme team-mate Tommy Evans was sixth. The national race continues tomorrow morning with a team time trial and concludes with an afternoon leg of about 120 kilometres.
Filed by Shane Murray
