The main climb wasn't up Irish, probably at least partly for that reason. They climbed up jeeptracks (starting a bit before Jonkers gate) up to (I think) the contour road after Irish 5, which did a decent job of spreading at least the front of the field.
But yeah it sucks when you've got a good rhythm going and the person in front of you stalls in the singletrack (as my husband, often following me, can attest).
