An operation began today to rescue around 3,000 South African gold miners trapped a mile underground when a falling pipe damaged their lift.

MART OJAVEE (Estonia Kalev Chocolate) bounced back for a second stage win as Jesse Anthony (US Kodak Gallery) became the first man to retain the race leader’s yellow jersey when stage 4 of the FBD Insurance RÁS to Dungloe developed into another high speed chase.

DAVID McCANN finally got just reward for his endeavours all week when he won yesterday’s marathon fourth stage of the FBD Milk Rás that took the riders from Charleville to Caherciveen with a first brief but testing visit to the Kerry mountains.

KEVIN DAWSON will be defending his Credit Union Ras Mumhan title in Kerry over the Easter Weekend when the race will attract a record number of overseas riders.