Date: 17/05/98

Day: Thursday

Date: 21/05/98

Weather: Cloudy 16^oC

Subject: Stage 6 Castletownbere to Mallow 95.14 miles @ avg. 25.88mph

Number	Name	Position	GC Time	Deficit	Stage Time
57	Wayne Randle	5	21:09:38	1:17	3:42:42 @ 2:08
56	Robin Numan	41	21:18:13	9:52	3:42:42 @ 2:08
59	Will Sanderson	64	21:23:57	15:36	3:42:42 @ 2:08
58	Duncan Hewitt	115	21:58:46	50:25	3:42:42 @ 2:08
60	Julian Mortel	123	22:12:53	1:04:32	4:09:00 @28:26

It was flat out from the gun again today, and the acid in the legs this morning from yesterday’s efforts made it painful. However the bunch wasn’t letting anything get away over the 3 No. Cat 3 climbs. This changed half way up the cat 1 climb of Rae na nDoiri at 46 miles. The bunch thinned out into a string & 15 riders broke clear. This group included Dave Williams, Jeff Wright & Mark Lovatt. They stayed clear to the finish 2’08" ahead of the main bunch. The gap had opened up to 3’20" causing concern to the top 5 on GC. They had to work together to close the gap down.

Those who lost the back of the bunch on the main climb had no chance of getting back on down the descent as it was a straight road down with no twists & turns to slow up the convoy aiding the chase. Riders were split allover the place & had to regroup, the speed of the main field could not be equaled & with only 50 of the 95 miles covered the remaining terrain was always made for the bunch not the chasers. Needless to say I was in a group of 8 chasers & came in almost half an hour down.

Dunc had his day without the sun & saved himself for the bunch sprint in Mallow getting 8th. Not bad Dunc, now do it for a top 15 placing.

Today and the accumulation of miles & hills saw 2 riders miss the start. 7 riders did not finish. 4 were in a big pile up on the cat 1 descent. The Honda Civic took one riders kneecap off & broke his wrist. The other lost some muscle from his leg & broke his shoulder.

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