Horrific crash leads to voided Rás stage

FOUR riders participating in the FBD Insurance Rás spent last night in hospital in Enniskillen after an horrific crash on the descent from Bellavalley Gap that caused the second stage from Dundalk to Carrick-on-Shannon to be declared null and void.

In a tribute to their injured comrades the peloton rode in convoy to the finish and the organisers donated the prize money for the day to the injured quartet – three members of the Spanish team and an Italian, Luca Barla, who was a member of the Japan-Nippo team.

The Italian rider suffered a broken leg and an ear injury, while one of the Spaniards broke his leg and lost part of his finger and will be taken to hospital in Belfast to have it sewn back on.