Lung Power returns for Rás favourite

CIARÁN POWER (Pezula Racing) put five days of misery behind him to win the stage and put himself right up in contention for what would be a sensational third FBD Milk Rás victory at the end of a 112 mile trip from Skibbereen to Clonmel that wrought havoc at the top of the general classification sheet where Simon Richardson (Plowman Craven) now holds the overall lead and former race leader, Stephen Gallagher (An Post/Sean Kelly), moves back up to within 10 seconds of reclaiming pole position.

All week Power — the pre-race favourite — was suffering from bronchitis but the doping controls which are being enforced rigidly in the race with daily testing meant that he could not take the medication necessary to ease his condition.

On Thursday night however, the Race Doctor, Conor McGrane, prescribed an inhaler and completed the Therapeutic Use Exemption paperwork necessary for him to be able to use it, making a huge difference.