O’Brien storms into yellow in Rás Mumhan

Former An Post/Sean Kelly rider Páidí O’Brien blasted to victory in the opening stage of the Kerry Group Rás Mumhan in Killorglin last night, putting his deadly finishing kick to good use on the sharp uphill finish to outsprint Denis Bakker (Ruiter Dakkapellen) and local man Dan Clifford (DID Dunboyne).

O’Brien, now riding for the Dan Morrissey/Speedy Spokes outfit won the final stage last year and took up where he left off, profiting from selfless work from his team-mates at the front.

“The team rode excellently,” O’Brien beamed at the finish. “I knew I had a good chance if I could get the position right. I was worried about being in the right spot coming in there. I knew I had a good turn of speed and the lads were very good to put me where I needed to be.