Mihaylov prevails in Castleisland

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Twenty three year old Bulgarian sprinter Nikolay Mihaylov (France AVC Aix en Provence) just edged out his Ukrainian eastern European rival Oleksandr Sheydyk (Ukraine ISD – Lampre) at today’s third stage of the An Post Rás, which saw the riders travel from Kilrush to Castleisland, County Kerry.

It was Mihaylov’s third win of the year and he was pleased to triumph after over four hours of racing.

"The sprint wasn’t easy as we did many kilometres today and my legs were tired in the final stretch. But I was good today and I am happy. I am a climber and I was waiting all day for the final climb. I did my attack there."

"I look forward to the climbs, I feel better there. I hope it’s possible to take yellow. At the moment I will wait, because it is a difficult race" he added.

Meanwhile Bagdonas was delighted to take the yellow jersey although he did admit some apprehension about the coming stages with the hills set to test him.

"I am very happy. There was good work done today and I took the yellow jersey. I’ll try again tomorrow. I have a good advantage now, but hills are not my speciality. I will try every day. The guy who won didn’t do so much work, and so too the Ukrainian rider [who was second]. They sprinted for the stage win, but I am leader and this is my first time to lead a race this big."

Tomorrow sees the peloton travel 142 kilometres from Castleisland to Castletownbere, in a stage which takes in a first category and three second category climbs.