Dutchman Taco van der Hoom of the Join-S De Rijke team soloed to first-stage victory in the An Post Rás on Sunday.
Van der Hoom crossed the line in Multyfarnham with the cheers of huge crowds ringing in his ears, as Dylan Kennett (New Zealand National Team) took second and Rasmus Mygind (Denmark Riwal Platform) finished in third place.
Local hero and national champion, Damien Shaw, finished in the bunch, with Irish riders Jack Wilson and Eddie Dunbar taking fifth and ninth respectively.
UCD rider Eoin Morton claimed the first King of the Mountains jersey with a tremendous ride.
After a ceremonial start at Dublin Castle, they worked their way through the city before heading for Navan, Athboy and eventually the finish line in Westmeath.
The second stage starts in Mullingar tomorrow, winding down the heart of the country to Charleville.
