Pate in the yellow at Cobh

DANNY PATE, a former world under-23 time trial champion and member of the US TIAA-CREF team, inflicted what could prove to be irreparable damage on the peleton when he sprinted up the hill to Cobh Cathedral to win the second stage in this year’s FBD Insurance RAS and claim the raceleader’s yellow jersey.

Whether or not the young American who hails from Colorado Springs ­ regarded by many as the home of cycling can defend the leadership ­ remains to be seen but he is one of just four riders in contention after yesterday’s trail of devastation that left the 142 man field spreadeagled to such an extent that the last rider just managed to beat the one hour time limit.

Chris Newton, the defending champion, left Enniscorthy in the yellow jersey but he arrived in Cobh 3 mins 41 secs behind Pate leaving his team mate, Robin Sharman, among the challengers to the American’s leadership.