Nine weeks after fracturing his collar bone in a crash racing in Spain, up-and-coming British rider Louis Sutton notched a stunning solo victory to take command of Rás Tailteann on Thursday's second stage into Castleisland, Co. Kerry.
The 20-year-old from St Albans came into the race somewhat under the radar riding in the colours of Spanish amateur team, Brocar Ale, but he's an underdog no more after upstaging many seasoned riders.
Sutton, riding Ras Tailteann for the first time, made his move on the final climb of the 154km trek from Horse and Jockey, surging clear of a trio of fellow breakaway men who animated the latter half of the race.
He crossed the line on his own with time to celebrate, just seconds ahead of William Perrett [Spellman Dublin Port] and Michael Chadwick [Britain Embark-Bikestrong] rounding out the stage podium in third.
Sutton - Brocar-Ale holds on and wins stage 2 of Rás Táilteann into Castleisland. Perrett comes in 2nd, Chadwick in 3rd. Yellow jersey Teggart comes in 5th and is unable to bridge across to the leaders. Epic stage! #Rás2022 pic.twitter.com/lPmw0c2TRH
— Rás Tailteann (@rastailteann) June 16, 2022
Just after those three was one of Ireland's strongest riders and big favourites this week, Daire Feeley, the Roscommon man riding for Cork All Human/VeloRevolution putting in a storming ride to keep his General Classification hopes very much alive.
Overnight leader Matt Teggart [Cycling Ulster], winner of stage one on Wednesday, lost the yellow jersey to Sutton but was more than content to do so as it took the spotlight off him heading into the weekend.
"I don't think it's a bad thing to be honest, as long as I can get it back before Sunday," Teggart suggested afterwards.
"There is a lot of racing to be done yet. It takes the pressure off me and the team [not being in yellow]."
Teggart played it cagey on Thursday, preferring to wait until later in the stage to make his move when others around him would likely tire.
"It was quite a good day for the team," he said. "We rode really well. We had every move covered and slipped Gareth [O'Neill] up the road in the big break of the day so it was perfect for us. It meant we didn't have to do any riding all day, and that was the plan.
"The emphasis was on the others to do the chasing so it was perfect."
Race leader Louis David Sutton of Brocar-Ale is presented with the race leaders @CyclingIreland yellow jersey! 🥇 Full results to be posted later #Rás2022 pic.twitter.com/hYuZmnaV9j
— Rás Tailteann (@rastailteann) June 16, 2022
Approaching the day's final climb, the category two ascent of Crags Cave, Teggart hit out on his own, storming past the remnants of the breakaway and closing in on the leading quartet.
"I felt very good and I hit that last climb with quite good legs," he said. "I knew that [climb] would suit me. I had it planned in my head to attack there, so I went and got across to [Daire] Feeley.
"I was hoping for a fast descent into the finish, but there was a block headwind, not very fast at all, you really had to push and that scuppered us a wee bit.
"Feeley and I probably lost the time that we gained going up the hill…but we gained time on everyone else at least.
"I was happy I was able to attack towards the end of that hill, so overall it was a good enough day, capped off with the green [points] jersey as well as a decent stage placing."
Friday's stage takes the riders a mammoth 172km from Newcastle West north to Lisdoonvarna with a category three climb after 150km followed by the punishing ascent of Corkscrew Hill [category two] just 10km from the finish.
With exposed roads for much of the day, expect another battle royale and an almighty battle to take the yellow jersey from the shoulders of Sutton.
