Power returns to the victory podium

CYCLING/FBD Milk Rás: Smiling broadly, a fresh yellow jersey in place and a huge laurel wreath around his neck, Team Ireland-Stena Line rider Ciarán Power yesterday recorded one of the most important results of his professional career when he won the 50th FBD Milk Rás.

The Waterford cyclist performed flawlessly over the last two stages to maintain his four minute, three seconds advantage over closest rival Chris Newton and thus take his first international victory since turning professional a little over two years ago.

Power went frustratingly close to winning the final stage in the Phoenix Park yesterday, thundering home inches behind Newton despite experiencing gear problems with his bike on the finishing straight. No matter; he heads back to his professional team base in the US tomorrow with 35 world-ranking points and a re-ignited taste for victory. This was a big result.

While the seeds of his victory were sown with a daring stage-long breakaway on Tuesday, the 1998 winner's second FBD Milk Rás title was ensured via an assured performance on Saturday's toughest stage. Newton had promised to go all out to reclaim the yellow jersey and with four first-category climbs lying in wait, any weakness would go punished.

Power's supporters shouldn't have worried. The Team Ireland Stena Line squad rode strongly to keep things together from the start in Arklow to the base of the Devil's Glen climb, and from there the race leader was very much in control. Strong up the back-breaking slopes, he comfortably negated all attacks there and on the subsequent ascents of Luggala and Sally Gap, then benefited from a regrouping which brought team-mates Tommy Evans, Tim Barry and Paul Griffin back up front.

The trio rode at speed to the base of the first-category Drumgoff climb, limiting the gains of leader Paul Manning (Britain) and preventing any other attacks.

Power then dealt a psychological blow to his rivals when he seized the initiative and raced clear on the climb, dragging a small group away and proving he meant business. This move was repeated on the Wicklow Gap to create the final selection on the stage, a seven-man chasing move which reeled in Manning with 10 miles remaining .

The plucky Englishman had enough in reserve to lead out Newton for his second stage win but second-placed Power was, despite the pouring rain, home and dry. Yesterday's final leg in the Phoenix Park was just over an hour in length and Power knew that it would take a crash to deprive him of a well-earned win.

Supported well by a psyched Ireland team, Power stayed out of trouble and prepared himself for the last sprint of the race. Newton's team controlled the pace in the closing stages to set things up perfectly for their man, but when Power kicked for home it looked as if he would finally land the stage win he was hunting.

"It was very close at the line," Power said afterwards. "I had trouble getting the bike into the biggest gear for the sprint and it only went in with about 30 metres to go. I nearly passed Newton but the line came just a bit too soon.

"Winning the race overall is the most important thing. I was injured and had a lot of bad luck last year and nearly packed in the bike. But as this result shows, I am back in great shape and am really motivated for the rest of the season."

Of the other Irish riders, Paddy Moriarty finished 13th overall, a brilliant result for a club rider, while Meath Lee Strand Cycleways dominated the county team category. Their captain, Phil Cassidy, was the only Irish stage winner and, with Power, ensures Ireland takes a very respectable share of the ranking points awarded in the country's flagship cycling race.