Day: Friday
Date: 22/05/98
Weather: Sunny intervals 20oC
Subject: Stage 7 Mallow to New Ross 96.57 miles @ avg. 25.28mph
GC & Stage Details:
| Number | Name | Position | GC Time | Deficit | Stage Time |
| 57 | Wayne Randle | 5 | 24:59:08 | 0:46 | 3:49:30 @ 0:18 |
| 56 | Robin Numan | 43 | 25:08:26 | 10:04 | 3:50:13 @ 1:01 |
| 59 | Will Sanderson | 62 | 25:14:10 | 15:48 | 3:50:13 @ 1:01 |
| 58 | Duncan Hewitt | 113 | 25:48:59 | 50:37 | 3:50:13 @ 1:01 |
| 60 | Julian Mortel | 120 | 26:03:06 | 1:04:44 | 3:50:13 @ 1:01 |
It was flat out from the gun again today, and the acid in the legs this morning from yesterday’s efforts made it painful AGAIN. The break of 3 men went from the gun Cairan Powers driving it forward to move himself up on GC. They stayed away to the finish opening the gap up to 4’15" at one stage, this reduced in the run into the finish (the final 20 miles) when the main group had them in their sights. This was when a group broke from the main bunch into the headwind. The group included Dave Williams, Wayne, Mark Lovatt & 12 others. With 5 k to go Wayne & Mark broke clear of this group, however it more or less all came back together at the finish.
The climbs today did not split the field as on previous days, the slight headwind helping matters. However whenever riders tried to break clear of the main group the field was strung out. It was at one of these points when I lost my foot out of my pedal & couldn’t get back into the line & promptly went out of the back, infact back to car 24, by which time I’d recovered & made my way into the bunch again.
There were 2 more broken frames today, 1 rider did not finish & 1 rider did not start.
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