Alex in Yellow

Swedish Bike Pure professional Alexander Wetterhall (Team Sprocket Pro) took the yellow jersey today at the FBD Insurance Rás stage race in Ireland. He had trailed race leader Dan Craven (Rapha Condor Sharp), another BP rider, by sixteen seconds overnight, after both riders were part of a decisive ten man break on stage one.

Alex, only 24, is the current Swedish time trial champion and one of five fantastic young riders Magnus Backstedt brought to Ireland for the race. Team Sprocket team manager Martin Crossin, is confident they can defend the jersey over the final four stages.  It is a dream come true for Wetterhall, a former mountain bike rider who only made the switch to road racing two seasons ago.

After the headlines cycling has suffered in the past weeks, to see young talented riders, race hard and clean is refreshing and reminds us all what fires up our passion and makes cycling, when achieved naturally, the greatest sport in the world.

The race finishes tomorrow in the famous Seskin hill in the home town of the cycling legend Sean Kelly. Keep updated on the race’s progress at www.fbdinsuraceras.com or get live updates directly from the race at www.irishcycling.com

FBD Insurance Rás, Ireland (2.2, May 23 – 30)

Stage 4, Oughterard – Tipperary:

1, Maximillan May (Germany Thuringer Energie) 169 kilometres in 3 hours 49 mins 16 secs
2, Joseph Lewis (Australia Drapac Porsche)
3, Pieter Ghyllebert (Belgium An Post Grant Thornton M. Donnelly Sean Kelly)
4, Ian Bibby (Motorpoint Marshalls Pasta)
5, Alessio Signego (Japan – Nippo)
6, Wouter Sybrandy (Britain Sigmasport Specialized)

General Classification after four stages:

1, Alexander Wetterhall (Sweden – Team Sprocket Pro) 11 hours 7 mins 51 secs
2, Joseph Lewis (Australia Drapac Porsche) at 1 min 46 secs
3, Josef Kugler (Austria Arbö KTM-Gebrüder Weis)
4, John Anderson (Sweden – Team Sprocket Pro)
5, Connor McConvey (Belgium An Post Grant Thornton M. Donnelly Sean Kelly)
6, Rob Partridge (Wales)