So how do you describe that one!!?? Lets start at the start shall we… Ryan faced the gun as pre-race favourite!
1st stage – 1st Win – Ryan takes the ITT
Stage 1
Off to a flyer. Individual time trial. Finish position – 1st. What more can you say, the kid is an animal in the discipline! Fantastic start to the Stena Line Ireland team and Ryan, aboard his N2A sets a blistering time to leave the whole lot grasping at straws. This should set the tone for the next five days
Stage 2
To the same degree that Stage 1 was ideal, Stage 2 was a nightmare for the young Irishman. A puncture and a crash with 36km to go left Ryan with a mammoth chase to get back in touch with the group, a chase which he managed to complete! A bloodied and battered Ryan was then taken in front of the stewards as to the circumstances surrounding the chase back on. Result : 5 minute penalty, fine and as a result the loss of the Yellow Leaders jersey! Harsh??
Bloodied and Battered – Fined and Punished Photo Gary McIlroy
Stage 3
Pretty uneventful by yesterdays standards as Ryan came in ensconced in the bunch
Stage 4
Time to extract a a bit of revenge. But the revenge will have to wait 15 mins as the stage is delayed for a young UK rider who left his shoes back in the team hotel! Young fellas eh!!???
With 20 km to go Ryan made the decisive break and pulled in his second stage win of the 2012 Tour of Ireland
Stage win number 2 for Ryan – Photo Gary McIlroy
Stage 5
Up the road after 30 seconds of racing and in the Green Points jersey The Irish team set their stall out early on the stage but alas it was not to be as the break hovered at 40 seconds for the majority of the stage. They were well marshalled by the Hot Tubes team who had their rider in Yellow.
So what came of it. A massive effort and second on the stage!
Points Jersey going in to Stage 5
Stage 6
Another attack after 30 seconds but the damage has been done and this Hot Tubes squad are well organised and keep control of the race.
So how did everything go? Well 2 stage wins 2nd on stage 5. Held the Yellow and Green Jersey. A 5 minute penalty, a massive crash and a fine for the team manager. All in a weeks racing!!