NEW leader, Alexander Wetterhall (Sweden Team Sprocket Pro), will wear the yellow jersey when the FBD Insurance Rás arrives at the top of Seskin Hill tomorrow, but it would take a big prediction to identify the possible leader when the race departs the spiritual home of cycling.

Maximillian May of the German Thuringer Energie team claimed today’s fourth stage of the FBD Insurance Rás from Oughterard, Co. Galway to Tipperary Town.

AFTER leading the race through his home town of Cong, David O’Loughlin (An Post/Sean Kelly), supplied the perfect finishing touch to the third stage of the FBD Insurance Rás when he outsprinted defending champion, Simon Richardson (Sigma Sport Specialised).

Mayoman David O’Loughlin crowned one of the highlights of his career with a stunning stage win in the FBD Insurance Rás into Oughterard, Co Galway today.

FOUR riders participating in the FBD Insurance Rás spent last night in hospital in Enniskillen after an horrific crash on the descent from Bellavalley Gap that caused the second stage from Dundalk to Carrick-on-Shannon to be declared null and void.

Today’s second stage of the FBD Insurance RAS from Dundalk to Carrick-on-Shannon was declared void following a serious collision involving eight riders.

DAN CRAVEN (Rapha Condor Sharp) started cycling in a tiny town in an outback of Namibia before joining a cycling club when he went to University near Cape Town and yesterday he conducted his own master class when he won the opening stage of the FBD Insurance Rás in Dundalk.

Dan Craven (Rapha Condor Sharp) won today’s opening stage of the FBD Insurance Rás from Dunboyne to Dundalk after he bested Mark McNally of the An Post Sean Kelly team to the line in glorious sunshine.

CHRIS NEWTON, who won the overall title twice, will join last year’s champion Simon Richardson, and the 2008 winner, Stephen Gallagher, on the line for next month’s FBD Insurance Rás.