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2023 Finn Crockett of Derry: Foyle CC won today’s FBD Insurance sponsored stage 5 after proving fastest in a breakaway sprint victory after 133.4km of racing. Second over the line was Jack Crook of UK: Trek Richardson followed by Matthew Fox of Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli. It was a sensational day for the general classification as Dillon Corkery of Team Ireland who finished 5th today gained more than 2 minutes on the Bective Stud yellow jersey Conor McGoldrick of UK: Trek Richardson. As a result, Dillion Corkery captured overall Rás Tailteann victory today followed by Cormac McGeough of US: Good Guys Racing in second and Conor McGoldrick of UK: Trek Richardson in third. Conor McGoldrick is the winner of the Cycling Ireland KoH classification, while the City Break Apartments points classification was won by Matthew Fox of Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli following his placing today. JB Murphy of Cycling Leinster was first county rider home today and winner of the Festina County Rider award. Conn McDunphy of Cycling Leinster is winner of the Sport Ireland county rider jersey. Aaron Wade of Team Ireland is winner of the Spin 11 U23 classification. How it Unfolded Today’s stage 5 of Rás Tailteann 2023 saw the riders faced with a 133.9km journey from Monaghan to Blackrock which featured 4 laps of an 11.1km circuit in Blackrock village. After a ceremonial start in Monaghan town centre, the race commenced and saw many attacks within the first 10km of the stage. A dangerous move of 11 riders went clear after 20km of racing which featured Dillon Corkery of Team Ireland, Cormac McGeough of Good Guys Racing and Aaron Wade of Team Ireland who all started today’s stage within 20 seconds of the race lead. The gap continued to build going out to over 3 minutes as the leaders entered Blackrock for the final 45km of racing. Attacks were non-stop in the lead group as 5 riders went clear with 25km of racing remaining. This group included Finn Crockett of Derry: Foyle CC, Jack Crook of UK: Trek Richardson, Matthew Fox of UK: Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli, Ben Chilton of UK: Halesowen Academy and Dillon Corkery of Team Ireland. They extended their advantage rapidly holding more than 2 minutes as the race entered Blackrock for the final time. In the final 200 metres, Finn Crockett of Derry: Foyle CC proved strongest as he blasted to Rás stage victory. Jack Crook of UK: Trek Richardson followed in second, and Matthew Fox of UK: Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli displayed his stage consistency placing in third. Importantly, Corkery was 5th on the day and gained more than 2 minutes over the Bective Stud yellow jersey Conor McGoldrick. This moved him up to overall Rás Tailteann winner in 2023. This follows Daire Feeley’s Irish victory in 2022 which was the first time an Irish rider won the race in 14 years. Pictures By Lorraine O'Sullivan |
