Bagdonas wins Kilrush battle

THE second stage of the An Post Rás from Portumna to Kilrush was just over 101 miles but a stormforce headwind turned it into a real test of endurance and if ever there was a worthy stage winner, it was Gediminas Bagdonas, a member of the An Post/Sean Kelly team while Shane Archbold of the New Zealand National Team took the race leader’s yellow jersey.

It was expected that the Category 2 climb at Corkscrew Hill would separate the men from the boys but, in the end, it was the only piece of respite for the peloton which was battered by arguably the most savage headwind in the history of the event.

But it produced its heroes and none more than Northern Ireland’s Martyn Irvine, who was at the front of the race throughout the opening day and was only five minutes on the road yesterday when he launched the attack that fashioned a thrilling stage.