Tipperary man takes top honours in home town Ras Tailteann finish

Tipperary Town's Simon Ryanon the podium in Tipp town yesterday

placeholder image — Tipperary Town's Simon Ryanon the podium in Tipp town yesterday

Simon Ryan is top county rider over the line

There was a hometown celebration in Tipperary town yesterday, Monday, when a local man took one of the top honours in the Ras Tailteann.

Tipp Town's Simon Ryan crossed the finish line on stage 2 of this year's Ras in fourth place overall in the stage but first of the 'county' riders.

Tipp Town's Simon Ryan (far right in yellow and red) crosses the finish line on Main Street, Tipp Town.

Simon is an amateur rider ('county' rider) with Cork-based Strata 3-VeloRevolution. He secured one of the best results of his career in his home town at the end of the 148-kilometre stage.

The 26-year-old said that his experience of both cycling and driving some of the narrow roads the peloton raced on proved crucial for him, especially in the rainy conditions on Monday.

The slippery roads caused a lot of difficulty for some riders - click here to see this lucky lad who nearly cycled through the front window of Dave Mc's Menswear!