It was all change on the An Post Rás yesterday as a seemingly flat second stage delivered a new stage winner and another Irish race leader into Nenagh.

For the second time in the last five editions of the race, the little-known Tipperary County team has outwitted the big guns to produce a stage winner at the An Post Rás.

Kerry Group Rás Mumhan race director Tadhg Moriarty has warned riders with designs on making an impact on this year’s event to be “prepared for one of the hardest stages in the history of the race.”

Páidí O’Brien won his second race in as many weeks when he scorched to victory in yesterday’s Carrick Wheelers Cup in Carrick on Suir.

Sean Lacey won his fifth straight Lacey Cup in Tralee yesterday, edging out Michael Fitzgerald (Fermoy CC) and talented junior Dylan O’Brien (O’Leary’s Stone Kanturk CC) after 76 kilometres of hilly racing.

The Olympic Council of Ireland’s Appeal Tribunal has turned down the appeal by Irish professional road cyclist Matt Brammeier against the decision of Cycling Ireland not to select him for the Olympic Road Race.

Ryan Sherlock was so disappointed he could hardly speak at the Killorglin finish yesterday after being denied the overall win at the Kerry Group Rás Mumhan in the cruellest possible way.

Conor Murphy (Eurocycles) sprinted to a brilliant win in yesterday’s third stage of the Kerry Group Rás Mumhan as Ryan Sherlock (Iverk Produce/Carrick Wheelers) took custody of the yellow jersey after a gruelling 142-kilometre leg around West Kerry.