An Post Chain Reaction took their first win of the Rás so far this week with a trademark sprint from Aaron Gate as Clemens Fankheuser retained the yellow jersey by the skin of his teeth once again.

Lukas Postlberger was yesterday crowned the winner of An Post Rás following a week that saw him deal with crashes, crosswinds, and even the theft of his bike the night before the final stage.

Team Sky have been forced to borrow bikes from their rivals in order to take part in this weekend’s Tour du Haut Var after having 16 of their own stolen on the eve of the race.