CYCLING

Frame Sprints to Points Jersey Lead in RAS Tour of Ireland

By Cycling New Zealand

New Zealand cyclist Alex Frame recovered from a crash to finish second and claim the points leader’s jersey after stage three of the An Post RAS Tour of Ireland today.

Frame (Christchurch) is one of the world champion team pursuit track riders competing in European road races as preparation towards the summer track season which will be highlighted by the UCI World Cup in Cambridge in December.

The 21 year old was pipped by compatriot Aaron Gate in the sprint for honours in yesterday’s second stage to Gort, but his second placing today means he has assumed the green jersey for points leader previously held by Gate.

The third stage from Gort to Westport in the west of Ireland comprised 145km with three category climbs, including a category one effort only 25kms from the finish.

Frame had negotiated these as well as the carnage caused by rain, winds and the narrow roads for much of the day, until he was brought down in a crash just 7kms from the finish.

However he recovered to ride frantically through the convoy and then the 100-strong bunch to sprint for second behind Italian Matteo Malucelli and move from the tour’s orange jersey for most aggressive rider to the green jersey points lead just ahead of Gate, who was fifth in the bunch sprint today.

Fellow New Zealand riders Nick Kergozou and Nick Bain also finished in the peloton today after outstanding performances.

Austrian Lukas Postlberger retains the lead on general classification with Gate, who rides for the An Post Chain Reaction team, in 14th place at 3:48 from the leader with Bain the best of the New Zealand team in 19th at 5:07.

Tomorrow’s fourth stage is relatively flat with a 135km run to the seaside town of Bundoran.



Zealand’s Alex Frame sprints for second place. Credit: Paul Mohan Sportsfile



With the points leader’s green jersey in the An Post RAS Tour of Ireland.
Credit: Paul Mohan Sportsfile.

Details: www.cyclingnewzealand.co.nz