25 May 2014

Schruers sprints on to podium, Bevin retains jersey in Irish cycling tour

11:08 am on 25 May 2014

Cantabrian Hamish Schruers sprinted on to the podium while teammate Patrick Bevin increased his sprint jersey lead on the penultimate stage of cycling's An Post Ras Tour in Ireland.

Britain's Liam Holohan soloed to victory on stage seven after being part of a seven-man break including Schruers and Commonwealth Games-bound New Zealander Shane Archbold, who rides for the An Post Chain Reaction team.

Schruers edged Britain's Robert Partride in the sprint for second, 46 seconds behind the winner.

Riders negotiated a further seven climbs today, including two category one climbs in quick succession in the 147km test to Baltinglass near Dublin.

The group of seven riders including Schruers and Archbold, broke clear early and remained clear, although did splinter and rejoin at the 100km mark.

Holohan went clear with 20kms to split the break with Schruers and Partridge the only riders to chase hard while Bevin led home the sprint at the head of the peloton for eighth place, 1m28s behind the winner.

He now has a 13 point advantage in the race for the sprinters' green jersey competition.

Austrian Clemens Fankhauser finished in the main bunch to retain the yellow jersey going in to tomorrow's final stage, which is relatively flat finishing with three loops in the seaside town of Skerries north of Dublin.