James Gullen claimed victory on Stage 3 of An Post Rás with a gutsy bid for glory in the final stages of the 133.2km ride into Dingle.
The Yorkshire rider was the one to make an attack stick in the final moments and the Pedal Heaven cyclist held off An Post Chain Reaction's Aaron Gate and German Nikodomus Holler to win the stage by just two seconds.
The day began in Charleville and an early break containing 22 riders, including Irish road race champion Damien Shaw, stayed away until the field climbed the Conor Pass.
The chasing bunch clawed the breakaway back on the descent, but another group of four riders went clear as the race entered the final five kilometres.
Gate, Gullen and Cork's Eddie Dunbar, who finished eighth on the stage, joined that group before Gullen put in his successful attack in the final two kilometres.
The race leader's jersey has been taken over by Austrian Clemens Fankhauser, and will be worn by the winner of the 2014 Rás for tomorrow's hilly 162km stage from Dingle to Sneem.
Fankhauser's lead is just three seconds over Australian Jai Hindley, with Gate and Dunbar a further two seconds back.
Commenting on the stage victory, Gullen’s first remark was of the stunning scenery around the Dingle Peninsula.
"This stage was incredible. The gorgeous panoramic views on the climbs were just breathtaking. I felt like stopping to take it all in. I’m chuffed with the win.
"We’ll play it by ear now and just take each day as it comes and hopefully you might be speaking to me again!"
Day four takes the riders on a 162.8 km route starting off in Dingle and making their way through Castlemaine, Milltown and Killorglin before hitting a category one climb at Bealach Oisín.
The riders will then go on towards Waterville, up the category two climb of Coomakista, through Caherdaniel, Castlecove, and up the ascent of Letterfinish before crossing the finish line in Sneem, Kerry.
