The biennial Round Ireland Race got off to a brisk start yesterday afternoon before a crowd of more than a 1,000 spectators gathered at Wicklow Sailing Club.

NICKI SORENSEN broke clear late on from a long-time breakaway group of seven riders to win Stage 12 of the Tour de France as sprint king Mark Cavendish spent a well-deserved day in the peloton.

The riders in the Tour de France are facing into a 212km flat stage from Tonnerre to Vittel today.