Stijn Vandenberg of Unibet took the race victory, the first of his professional career but could the break be enough to allow one of the ten to win the Tour already?  His group came in 13.32 ahead of the main bunch giving them a huge lead with just four of the five stages remaining.  I wouldn’t bet against one of them taking the victory.  If one of the group can handle some of the hilly stages then a win is on.

Vandenbergh wins from big break [CyclingNews]

Highlights on TV: RTE 2 (Sky Channel 163) @ midnight [RTE 2]

Stage 1: Kilkenny - Cork, 174kms 

Today is the first stage of the fresh new Tour of Ireland race.  It’s been fifteen years since the last edition of the Nissan Classic race finished and the Tour of Ireland will hope to follow on as the countries biggest stage race.  The 2.1 race gets underway with a 174 kilometre race between Kilkenny and Cork.  A race that will host a three of top ranking pro-tour teams two of which are fresh out of the Tour de France.  T-Mobile, CSC and Unibet will headline the five stage event that coveres the South and West coasts of Ireland taking in some tricky climbs.  One of the big favourites will be 22-year old Andy Schleck who finished second in the latest Tour of Italy.  The race also includes a bunch of Ireland’s top riders.

For a more indepth preview including route guides and stage profiles visit CyclingNews’ coverage of the event.