Stage 3 of Rás Tailteann departed Newcastlewest with the finish line in Lisdoonvarna. 172km in store for the riders and two categorised climbs up the Burren and Corkscrew Climb. With these climbs coming inside the last 20km, this could be the last chance for the General Classification contenders to make their intent known. The first 2 days we enjoyed sunshine and heat, but the Irish weather soon caught up with us and the race had its first wet day. Another 50kph average start to the race, reaching 60kph as we went out the N21, riders struggled to hold the wheels as the pace increased. The main breakaway of the day developed consisting of 9 riders one of whom was Kingscourt man and Moynalty Cycling Club rider Luke Smith. They had 3:25 over the bunch at the 80km mark. But as the rain got worse, the gap grew to 4 mins with 50km to go.
Adam Ward riding for Team Ireland won the stage. Daire Feeley came second and now wears the Yellow Jersey for Stage 4. Third on the stage was Luke Smith. A fantastic ride from him and now starts stage 4 in the Irish County Rider jersey. Luke is riding himself well into the Rás and a huge milestone in his cycling career to be in the County Jersey as we enter the penultimate stage. Another day of misfortune for myself picking up a punche early into the stage and although receiving a wheel from neutral service, I had to stop again to receive a bike change and spent 30 mins burning matches trying to chase back onto the main bunch. Stage 4 departs Lisdoonvarna and travels 154km to Kilbeggan. A relatively flat day in comparison to the previous three days. With fatigue high, the potential for the bunch to sit up and let a breakaway get up the road is a possibility.
James Mc Enaney from Carrickmacross is competing in the RAS Tailteann with the Moynalty Cycling club
