Cassidy gives Tanner a run for his money

Longevity in the sporting context is all about staving off decline in fitness which starts to set in around the early 30s. The benefits of experience can help, but sooner or later time takes its toll and retirement, or at least a less ambitious approach, is necessary.

Many of the battle-weary riders who completed yesterday's tough 102-mile stage will doubtlessly wish that Phil Cassidy would pay attention to this principle. 'Cass' may be a legend of Irish cycling, with two Rás wins and countless other victories to his credit, but yesterday's display did little for the morale of younger athletes. Mixing it with professional riders, taking off after 75 miles and going within one second of winning the stage; Cassidy may have turned 40 last autumn but he shows little sign of slowing down. Ultimately, the Meath Lee Strand Cycleways leader lost out to former British champion John Tanner in a four-man sprint to the finish in Nenagh. A near miss, but he is vowing to try again throughout this week.

Yesterday was a classic FBD Milk Rás stage. Gale force winds, spitting skies and a hard, hard slog from gun to flag. The first serious break went after 15 miles when four riders, including Irishmen Tim Barry and Denis Lynch, built a solid lead.

These were eventually joined by a dozen others, Tanner included, but despite the reinforcements, the field was all together again by the 39-mile mark.

The ceasefire lasted all of one mile before chaos resumed once again. Previous race winner Julian Winn (Wales) and Tanner's team-mate Mark Lovatt went clear and eventually sparked off a massive free-for-all, with riders trying repeatedly to steal a march on their rivals and gain time.

Team Ireland Stena Line's Ciarán Power was one of the main aggressors, seeking to overcome the 27 seconds separating him and race leader Chris Newton, while David O'Loughlin (Mayo Wheelers), Ray Clarke (Meath Lee Strand Cycleways) and Paddy Moriarty (Dublin Skip Hire) also tried their luck. But Newton and his GB squad were simply too strong, sooner or later getting onto terms with all the moves.

Polish rider Herbert Nowak made a brave attempt and led the race for 10 miles. He fended off the chase of Martin O'Loughlin (Tipperary Dan Morrissey) and Meath Avonmore's Denis Easton but eventually succumbed to the wall-like headwind. Cue an almost instantaneous attack by Cassidy, Kevin Dawson (Lancashire Compensation Group) and VC La Pomme rider Frederick Pedersoli which resulted in a considerable lead.

Pedersoli faded at the 88-mile mark, 14 from home, as Cassidy and Dawson increased their advantage to one minute, 40 seconds over a South Africa HSBC-led chasing group. Cassidy was hunting for a stage win and Dawson was aiming to snatch yellow from Newton, now almost three minutes back, but a late charge from Tanner and Ben Brooks (New England Cycle Centre RT) foiled their happy ending.

The quartet merged with four miles remaining, paving the way for Tanner to unleash one of his renowned finishing bursts, while Newton's GB team headed a late charge which saw the regrouped main bunch thunder in and overcome all but 13 seconds of their deficit.

Clad in a fresh yellow jersey, Newton was relaxed. "I didn't panic today. I said I wasn't going to try to defend the lead so early but it worked out well. Ciarán Power and several others tried hard to get clear but each time I got up to them, they eased back. Then things came back together at the end so I am pretty happy."

As for Cassidy, he promised to try again. "I have just finished a course of antibiotics after a chest infection and didn't expect to feel this good so soon. But the legs were very strong today. I think a stage is definitely in reach, if I have the necessary luck - I will keep on attacking and see what happens." So much for slowing down with age. He says that this will be his last FBD Milk Rás. Don't believe a word of it.

Today's stage: Nenagh to Killorglin (97 miles).