Yellow loss may be a blessing in disguise

Only two riders have succeeded in leading the race now known as the FBD Milk Ras from start to finish - Shay O'Hanlon in 1965-1967 and Alexander Gysiatnikov of the USSR in 1970.

In that context, the relinquishing of David McCann's yellow jersey of race leadership yesterday came as little surprise to those following Ireland's premier cycling event. A contest as open, as tough, as unpredictable as this one often extracts a heavy penalty from those who try to control the race.

Better to step back, loan the limelight to another and try to regain possession later in the week. That said, the manner and margin by which yesterday's Stage Two winner Dirk Reichl took yellow will be of some concern to the Ireland-Shannon Oaks team.

Just 19 years of age, but now in possession of the race-leaders jersey, the white of best under-23 rider and leading the mountains competition - the twice German junior hill-climb champion may prove a formidable adversary.

Some observers felt that yesterday's relatively flat 81 miles would prove indecisive. Bereft of mountains and hot-spot sprints, logic suggested a bunch sprint, but then again this is the wonderfully unique FBD Milk Ras and normal textbook guidelines never apply.

Instead, it was a day defined by constant attacks. Last year's champion Julian Winn, Tour of Italy stage winner David McKenzie and Galwegian Michael McNena were all temporary aggressors, while Reichl's mid-race attempt with five others succeeded in opening up a sizeable lead.

A chase by the Ireland-Shannon Oaks team succeeded in hauling back the sextet, only for four others to counterattack at the 60-mile point. Policed by McCann's team-mate Morgan Fox, the danger was tempered by his refusal to assist the quartet.

However alarm bells reached frantic levels when 10 riders, including Reichl and Great Britain's Paul Manning, slipped from the bunch and succeeded in bridging the one-minute gap.

"That was a big problem for us," admitted Irish manager Declan Byrne. "There was a lot of problems with race radio, very little information coming back about the time differences and no indication that guys such as Manning were in that chasing group. By the time we found out the situation up front, the leaders had over a minute."

Time for action. Fox continued to sit on, as the entire Irish team went to the front of the main bunch and tried to limit the losses. With McCann joining in with the chase, the advantage dwindled all the way to the line, but 34 seconds spanned the gap between Reichl's impressive sprint win and the arrival of the main group.

As for Fox, his chance of winning the stage evaporated when the rider immediately ahead of him braked sharply on the turn onto the finishing straight. Still, the green points jersey and second overall will lessen his regret, as the race moves onwards and upwards over the slopes on today's marathon 115 mile run to Castleisland. The serious action begins here.