MARTIN TAKES RAS OVERALL

GERMAN Tony Martin took overall victory in the FBD Insurance Ras in Ireland, despite his 17-second lead being threatened by several attacks during the final day?s stage from Newcastle to Skerries.

Martin (Thuringer Energy) led the Ras from stage five onwards, and consistency was the key to his success. He only once finished on the podium, claiming second spot on the stage two from Templemore to Loughrea.

He completed most stages in the same time as the winner, and ironically the 42 seconds he trailed team-mate Nico Graf by on stage five was the very day he took over the yellow jersey.

?I am very happy to win the race, it is a very big success for me,? said Martin afterwards. ?I knew my rivals would attack me on the final stage but my team-mates did a great job to bring it back together.?

His 17-second lead heading into the final day looked vulnerable, but his team - and fellow German outfit Stevens Von Hacht - worked hard to keep his main rivals at bay and ensure the win.

FBD Insurance Ras (Final stage, Newcastle-Skerries).-

1 Brian Kenneally (Meath My Home.ie 174km in 3-58-22

2 Andrei Mustonnen (Estonia-Kalev Chocolate)

3 Glenn Bak (Ireland-Murphy & Gunn)

4 Josef Soukup (Czech-Sparta Praha)

5 Mark Walters (US-Kodak Gallery)

6 Jesse Anthony (US-Kodak Gallery) all st

Final overall.-

1 Tony Martin (Germany-Thuringer Energy) 27-27-13

2 Paidi O?Brien (Ireland-Murphy & Gunn) at 17sec

3 Peter McDonald (Australia-FRF Couriers) at 24sec

4 Jesse Anthony at 36sec

5 Chris Newton (Stena-Recycling) at 1-02

6 Stephen Gallagher (Ireland-Murphy & Gunn) at 1-15