Robert-Jon McCarthy wins stage 1 of An Post Ras

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The An Post Chain Reaction Sean Kelly team claimed a on-two double on the first stage of the 2014 An Post Ras as Robert-Jon McCarthy won the sprint ahead of Shane Archbold.

The duo jumped to the front of the peloton just before the last corner of the 149km race to secure the win for the time while Daniel Klemme (Synergy Baku) rounded out the podium.

"I'm over the moon," McCarthy said. "It was a real team effort. Sean Downey was in the break for most of the stage and which allowed us to have the armchair in the bunch and then Jack taking me and Shane to the front in the last kilometre.

"As we turned the corner on the final stretch myself and Shane were out in front and all I had to do was sprint for 150 metres. I'm delighted."

One hundred and fifty nine riders were present for the start in Dunboyne, Meath and the relatively flat opening stage route made for a fierce and frantic pace with three time bonus sprints adding an extra incentive for aggressive racing.

At the 30km mark, going through Trim, Rás debutant Jack Wilson (An Post Chain Reaction Sean Kelly) attacked the front of the peloton alongside Bryan McCrystal (Cork Aquablue) to quickly build twenty second gap.

The duo were reeled in shortly before the first sprint in Athboy which won by last year's Rás winner Marcin Bialoblocki (Britain Velosure Giordana).

A group of ten, including Irish riders Sean Downey (An Post Chain Reaction Sean Kelly), Fraser Duncan (Dunboyne DID), Eoin Morton (UCD Arrow), McCrystal and Peter Hawkins (Britain Madison Genesis) broke clear to form the first big break of the day and had a lead of 3:30 minutes with 100km raced.

With 10km left to race, the break was caught and it was all back together in time for a bunch sprint.

McCarthy leads the general classification, claiming the first yellow jersey of the week as well as the points classification and Under-23 jersey. Irish amateur Duncan won both the King of the Mountains and County Rider jersey.

The race continues with a 159km stage from Roscommon to Lisdoonvarna.

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