Cycling: Kimber secures CC IoM victory at Rás Tailteann

Manx squad calling it biggest win in their history so far

Cycling Club Isle of Man rider George Kimber secured what the team describes as it's biggest win its four-year history at the prestigious Rás Tailteann race at the weekend.

Having snatched the leader's yellow jersey on stage four on Saturday (24 May), the 25-year-old held on to his five-second GC lead in a dramatic final stage on Sunday (25 May).

Also playing a key role in keeping Kimber in the leading pack on the final day were teammates Callum Salisbury and Ivan Sorby, keeping the opposition at bay on the hilly and technical last phase.

Offering support from the sidelines were the squad's other competitors Dexter Mansel-Thomas and Michael Faid who'd been forced to withdraw from the race earlier in the meeting.

Following the final showdown, Kimber said: "I don’t know how we did it to be honest. We’ve got a young team here, two guys straight out of juniors pretty much. We had to play it patiently. 

"I didn’t think it would be that hard. It was splitting all over the place and I just had to bridge so many gaps on my own. 

"At one point I didn’t think I’d make it, but I just kept going for the pride of the jersey. They must have eased up and I managed to get over, but I honestly don’t know how."

Completing the top three in the GC behind Kimber were Ireland's Jamie Meehan in second and Cycling Ulster competitor Odhran Doogan in third.

For the other Cycling Club Isle of Man riders who completed the event, Sorby finished 35th in the GC with Salisbury in 69th.