Okrouhlicky wins three-man sprint to the line

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County rider Roger Aiken put in a phenomenal performance on day seven of An Post Rás, agonisingly missing out on a memorable stage victory which was won by Czech rider Tomas Okrouhlicky (Czech Republic Sparta Praha). The Louth Prague Charter rider finished inches behind Okrouhlicky in the sprint to the line, with Jacub Kratochvila (Austria Arbo Gebruder Weiss) marginally back in third place.

The trio led the breakaway into the finish from 25 kilometres out and crossed the line twenty three seconds ahead of the yellow jersey group containing Marcin Bialoblocki (Britain UK Youth Pro Cycling), Connor McConvey (Azerbaijan Synergy Baku) and Rasmus Guldhammer. The result means no change at the top of the general classification (GC) with Bialoblocki leading, but McConvey and Guldhammer locked on the same time as the Polish rider heading into tomorrow's final stage.

Aiken's magnificent ride today saw him move up to eighth position in the GC overtaking Simon Yates (Great Britain National Team) whilst also claiming the county rider jersey for the stage.

Today's penultimate stage from Carlow to Naas was arguably the toughest, with eight climbs facing the riders in the 141 kilometre route. Four of those climbs qualified as either first or second category ascents, making for a very difficult day in the saddle.

It was a fast paced first hour of racing with several attempts at a breakaway proving unsuccessful. Six riders eventually went clear approaching the category two climb of Ballythomas, including Kenny De Ketele (Belgium National Team), Okrouhlicky and yesterday's stage winner, Rico Rogers (Azerbaijan Synergy Baku).

Entering Arklow, at the 60 kilometre mark, the breakaway had opened a lead of one minute forty seconds. De Ketele and Okrouhlicky pushed further ahead before the Belgian rider was dropped, leaving Okrouhlicky riding solo out in front.

Aiken was lurking all the while behind and gave chase to the leader along with Kratochvila, narrowing the gap to only ten seconds. The Irish man briefly overtook Okrouhlicky to lead the race, before the trio came together on the descent of the category one Wicklow Gap.

Meanwhile, in the main bunch, Bialoblocki led the chase one minute back with McConvey and Guldhammer unable to distance themselves from the yellow jersey holder.

With 10 kilometres to go it was clear that the lead trio would not be caught and it came down to a scintillating sprint finish on the straight into Naas town centre, with Okrouhlicky pipping Aiken to the line.

Despite a magnificent performance Aiken's was disappointed not to take the stage victory.

"It's disappointing not to get the win. I was riding hard at the end, going for time, to try move myself up in the GC, but maybe I should have conserved my legs to try take the stage but I had a go anyway.

Today was hard because it's the end of the week and everybody's tired, the legs aren't as fresh but it's the second day in a row our team (Louth Prague Charter) have taken the county jersey so we have to be pleased with that," Aiken added.

There was no change to the king of the mountains jersey or the under-23 jersey with Martin Hunal (Czech Republic Sparta Praha) and Simon Yates (Great Britain National Team) once again holding claim to them. Owain Doull overtook Bialoblocki to lead the Sprints classification and take the green jersey.

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