Eeckhout wins opening stage of Ras

FBD Insurance Ras 2009 logo

published 17 May 2009

Niko Eeckhout (An Post-M.Donnelly-Grant Thornton-Sean Kelly) has won the opening stage of the 2009 FBD Insurance Ras in Ireland.

The 2006 Belgian road race champion took the bunch sprint from Britain's Russell Downing (CandiTV-Marshalls Pasta) in Wexford. Australian Nicholas Walker (Cinelli-Down Under) completed the podium positions in third.

Eeckhout will wear the yellow race leader's jersey going in to Monday's 178km stage from Wexford to Cobh. The UCI 2.2-ranked race comprises of eight stages running from Sunday May 17 to Sunday May 24.

RESULTS
Stage one: Kilcullen - Wexford, 125km
1. Niko Eeckhout (Belgium) An Post-M.Donnelly-Grant Thornton-Sean Kelly in 2-53-10

Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, an exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.