Dom Jackson had many nervous moments, with key rivals launching ever more urgent attacks on the final stage of the Rás Tailteann on Sunday, but he finally sealed victory at the finish in Bective, Co Meath.
The Briton (UK: Foran CT) won the closest-ever edition of the race in its 69-year history, with himself and the Irish duo Conn McDunphy (USA: Skyline-Cadence) and Liam O'Brien (Team Ireland) all finishing on the same time.
It comes 18 years after the 2006 edition when two riders - Kristian House and Danny Pate - finished level on time and were also separated by their accumulated stage placings.
Jackson was third on the opening stage and then moved into the race lead on stage two to Sneem, when McDunphy outsprinted O’Brien for the stage win.
The two Irish riders were trying since then to gap him, but each time he and his team managed to finish on the same time on each stage. Jackson credits his team for pulling him through.
McDunphy launched a big attack in the final stage and was clear for some time, but was hauled back by the peloton. Jackson tried but was too spent to match the Irish man's move.
"I couldn't pedal, my legs were in so much pain. I just ended myself to follow Conn and Liam," he explained.
Defending champion Dillon Corkery had started the day 32 seconds back and launched a big solo move close to the finish, but he too was reeled in.
British rider Tim Shoreman won a big bunch sprint to the line to win the stage, with John Buller best of the Irish riders in third.
Jackson finished safely in the bunch to take the biggest win of his career, with McDunphy and O’Brien in the same group to seal their places on the final podium.
An emotional Jackson said the Rás is the pinncale of their calendar, and when asked what would come next, he said: "A rest, I have definitely picked up something. My throat is not a happy bunny. UK national road race I will have a crack at. Time off and to think about what's next."
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