Lacey best of Irish as opener goes Dutch

HOLLAND have two of the race favourites at this weekend’s Kerry Group Rás Mumhan and while neither figured in yesterday’s opening stage, their rookie compatriot Robert-Jan Mol (West Frisia Combilift), stepped up the steal the limelight.

The 21 year-old from Amsterdam highlighted his arrival by winning a ferocious uphill sprint in Killorglin from Sean Lacey, a Kerryman riding for The Edge Sports Team – a new outfit based in Cork – who is hot favourite to keep the title at home for another year.

Lacey, who lost out in yesterday’s sprint by just two seconds, remains on target for overall victory as he lies just four seconds off the lead held by Mol after time bonuses were taken into account.