Downing wins 4th Stage while Pinotti takes Tour of Ireland Title

Tour of Ireland Cyclists in Tralee last year.

Britain's Russell Downing (Pinarello CandiTV Team) won the fourth stage of the Tour of Ireland Cycle Race which passed through Tralee at lunchtime on Saturday (Aug 30) en route to Dingle. Wesley Sulzberger (SouthAustralia.com/AIS) was the leader entering Tralee cheered on by enthusiastic crowds down the Abbeydorney Road and Rock Street. Sulzberger and Magnus Backstedt (Garmin Chipotle) were 5 minutes ahead of the pack at that stage but the lead had been reduced to less than 30 seconds after the Conor Pass climb.

In the sprint to the finish line in Dingle town Russell Downing (Pinarello CandiTV) beat  Gonzalo Rabunal (Karpin Galicia) and Matt Wilson (Team Type 1) into third place.

The eventual winner of the tour, which ended in Cork on Sunday, was Italian Marco Pinotti of Team Columbia followed by Russell Downing, the 4th stage winner.

The Race which was supported by Fáilte Ireland and An Post was covered live on television in Europe and the United States as well as RTE. Failte Ireland believe that it should result in a substantial tourism boost for  County Kerry in the years ahead.

Further information from www.tourofireland.ie