The British riders may not have gained revenge for Ciaran Power?s victory in the East Midlands Cicle Classic last month, but it was the first time since 2002 that three different British riders won a stage in the Ras.

Dean Downing and Chris Newton won back-to-back stages for Rapha before Simon Richardson?s win in Skibbereen.

Here we list the British stage winners and top overall rider in the Ras each year since 1998.

The 2008 yellow jersey may have gone to the Irishman Stephen Gallagher but with three stage wins, Rob Partridge?s third place overall and British riders taking all three of the other competitions (Dean Downing ? points; Kit Gilham ? king of the mountains; Dale Appleby ? under-23) it was still a good week.

2008
3 stage wins
? Dean Downing, stage two, Claremorris
? Chris Newton, stage three, Lisdoonvarna
? Simon Richardson, stage five, Skibbereen
Best overall 3rd Rob Partridge

2007
No stage wins
Best overall 5th Chris Newton

2006
2 stage wins
? Chris Newton, stage one, Enniscorthy
? Recycling.co.uk, stage six team time trial, An Cheathru Rua
Best overall 1st Kristian House

2005
4 stage wins
? Chris Newton, stage two, Tubbercurry
? Chris Newton, stage three, Lisdoonvarna
? Malcolm Elliott, stage four, Templemore
? Chris Newton, stage six, Rathdrum
Best overall 1st Chris Newton

2004
2 stage wins
? Malcolm Elliott, stage five, Millstreet
? Malcolm Elliott, stage eight, Phoenix Park
Best overall 5th Malcolm Elliott

2003
2 stage wins
? Kevin Dawson, stage four, Letterkenny
? Chris Newton, stage five, Buncrana
Best overall 1st Chris Newton

2002
5 stage wins
? Chris Newton, stage one, Ballinamore
? John Tanner, stage two, Nenagh
? Paul Manning, stage six, Arklow
? Chris Newton, stage seven, Baltinglass
? Chris Newton, stage eight, Phoenix Park
Best overall 2nd Chris Newton

2001
No stage wins
Best overall 1st Paul Manning

2000
3 stage wins
? Julian Winn, stage three, Oughterard
? Gethin Butler, stage five, Kenmare
? John Tanner, stage seven, Enniscorthy
Best overall 1st Julian Winn

1999
1 stage win
? Jon Clay, stage two, Charleville
Best overall 4th Richard Hobby

1998
3 stage wins
? Jeff Wright, stage two, Tubbercurry
? Dave Williams, stage three, Westport
? Jeff Wright, stage eight, Ballymore Eustace
Best overall 4th Wayne Randle