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P&O Irish Sea Tour of the North 2004

Connor Triumphs in P&O Thriller

The final stage in the P&O Irish Sea 2004 Tour of the North proved to be eventful from the off, with overnight leader Ryan Connor carrying a slender 14 second lead in to the 70 mile stage around the demanding Co. Down roads.

The big news of the day came after only 6 miles when main challenger Tommy Evans coasted to the side of the road just outside Comber. As the race convoy drove past it was assumed he was victim to a puncture, but shortly after news came through on the race radio that he had in fact snapped his chain, and with no replacement bike, was unable to continue. (Riding Race No 113 on the 13th ??)

So with Evans out of the way, race leader Connor had to look to Draperstowns Jonathon Dempsey (Classic Walls) for his nearest challenge, with him being only 40 secnds off the race lead.

The twisty hilly roads on the Ards Peninsula saw Matt Ward (Phoenix CC) take the first AA King of the Hills prime at Killinchy. Going in to the final day 2 riders were tied at the top of that competitin, with Matt Sewell (Energy Cycles) donning the Polka Dot Jersey ahead of Don Travers (Banbridge CC) on a countback basis.

Small groups continued to nip off the front of the race, but generally not gaining more than a handful of seconds as the demanding roads and worsening weather conditions began to take their toll.

After 2 further AA King of the Hills primes at Raffery, Sewell and Travers were both in the points with Sewell ahead by one point with the final climb at Gilnahirk remaining. He was second across the line on this one, to give him the overall win in the competition.

Shortly after the final climb, a group of 5 moved clear, containing Dempsey, and their lead began to stretch towards the 40 second danger zone. Determined efforts, mainly by Connor, ensured the race was back together on the run in to Dundonald. where 3 riders nipped off the front for the stage finish.

Sewell got the verdict on the line ahead of local Castleregh CC rider Ian Proctor, with Connor Murphy 3rd.

James Notley (Cyclestore.co.uk) led the remnants of the field, including a delighted Connor, home 6 seconds later.

Having celebrated his 20th birthday only last week, Connor is undoubtedly the youngest ever winner of the Easter classic, which next year celebrates its Golden Jubilee, safe in the knowledge that P&O Irish Sea are again on board as title sponsor, a fact confirmed by marketing manager James Esler at the prize presentation.

Result Stage 6

1Matt SewellEnergy Cycles RT70 miles in 2.41.15

2Ian Proctor Castlereagh CC-Mattest

3Connor Murphy North Monaghan-Crannog both same time

4James Notely Cyclestore.co.uk @ 6 seconds

5Paul Harte Phoenix CC

6Willie Hamilton East Antrim-Audi

7Mark Greer Slane-Maryland

8Ian Nimo Saltire Select

9Alastair Irvine Toyota North Down CC

10 Nigel Somers Northern-Dave Kane Cycles all same time

(Provisional) Final Overall Classification

1Ryan Connor Ballymena Road Club 10.29.30

2J Dempsey Classic Walls @ 40sec

3B Doherty Totalcycling-Litespeed @ 58

4Mike Harrison Cyclestore.co.uk @ 1.06

5G Rose Energy Cycles RT @ 1.09

6J Notley Cyclestore.co.uk @ 1.10

7B Morrow East Antrim-Audi @ 1.12

8W Hamilton East ANtrim-Audi @ 1.17

9L Myer Surrey League @ 1.33

10 D Easton Slane-Maryland @ 1.41

(Provisional) AA King of the Hills

1Matt Sewell Energy Cycles RT 23 points

2Don Travers Banbridge CC 19

3Ian Nimo Saltire Select 5

Junior - Adam Petie Armstrong (Northern-Dave Kane)

Veteran - Len Kirk (Ards CC)

Teams-

1Energy Cycles

2Cyclestore.co.uk

3Surrey League

King Connor rules in Ballymena

Stage 5 Monday 12th April

At home on Co Antrim soil, ballymena rider Ryan Connor (Ballymena Road Club-Scott Rooftiles) thrilled the crowds lined up at the Fry`s road finish in the town with a superb solo victory in todays penultimate day of th 2004 P&O Irish Sea Tour of the North.

The longest day, at a shade over 76 miles, was right up Connor`s street, and he was active from early in the stage.

A group of 5 had moved clear early in the stage onthe first AA climb at Shanes Hill after 13 miles, but having gained a maximum of 2 minutes 20 seconds, they were reeled in by the second climb at Glenarriff (46 miles)

Immediately a group of aound 25 riders moved clear at the front, and shortly after on the toughest climb of the day at Orra, Connor escaped with 20 miles remaining. On home roads he quickly built up a one minute thirty second cushion, and there were anxious supporters at the finish who were receiving reports that that lead was being reduced by fast finishing chasers.

Overnight race leader Tommy Evans and his Totalcycling-Litespeed team along with the Energy Cycles lads were doing the chasing, however Evans squad mis-calculated the distance to the finish, and one of the Energy boys punctured leaving Connor to savour a solo victory in his home town.

As the seconds ticked by, Connor had trailled Evans by 18, the chasers led by James Notley (Cyclesuperstore.co.uk) crossed the line 17 seconds later. With a time bonus of 15 seconds for a stage win, it puts Connor provisionally in the race leaders Pink Jersey for tomorrows finale at Castlereagh, a fact when relayed from the PA drew another huge cheer from the partisan Ballymena spectators.

It now sets up a thrilling finish for tomorrow, with Connor holding a 14 second lead, and with another 15 second time bonus up for grabs for the stage winner, there is all to play for over the 70 demanding miles of County Down roads.

(Provisional) Result of Stage 5 - Ballymena

1Ryan ConnorBallymena RC-Scotts76 miles in 3.06.23

2James Notley Cyclesuperstore.co.uk @ 17 sec

3Denis Easton Slane Cycles-Maryland Whs

4Willie Hamilton East Antrim-Audi all same time

(Provisional) Overall General Classification after stage 5

1Connor7.48.09Stage 5 winner &

2Evans @ 14 secnew Race Leader -

Ryan Connor (Bally-

3J Dempsey @ 40 mena Road Club)

4B Doherty @ 1.06

5M Harrison @ 1.06

6G Rose @ 1.09

7J Notley @ 1.10Pic - Eric Blayney

8 B Morrow @ 1.12

9W Hamilton @ 1.17

10 L Myer @ 1.33

AA King of the Hills

Shanes Hill (cat 2) Glenarriff (cat 1)

1 M Ward 3 1 Ward 4

2 B O`Brien 2 2 Sewell 3

3 G Cranston 1 3 G Roche 2

4 D Travers 1

Orra (cat 1)

1 Connor 4

2 Travers 3

3 I Nimo 2

4 L Myer 1

(provisional) Overall

1=Matt Sewell Energy Cycles 15

Don Travers Banbridge CC

3 Matt Ward Phoenix CC 7

4=I Nimo Saltire Select 4

G Roche Energy Cycles

R Connor Ballymena RC

Murphys Law at Bangor

Stage 4 Bangor Sunday 11 April

Breaking away from a group of 10 who led for most of the stage, Connor Murphy (North Monaghan-Crannog Ireland) took a solo victory back in Bangor following a 49 mile loop around the Ards Peninsula this afternoon.

Of the 10 who escaped shortly after Newtownards with 6 miles covered, Murphy was the highest placed in 24th spot, however with a defecit of over 9 minutes the main players in the race were happy to let these 10 have their day at the head of affairs.

By tha halfway mark the advantage was up to 2.45, and with 17 miles remaining that peaked at 4 minutes, but in the closing 15 miles the bunch finally reacted to pull the leaders back to 2 minutes on the line.

Murphy made his solo bid for glory in the run in from Donaghadee with 6 miles remaining, and crossed the line with 26 seconds in hand over Ian Proctor (Castlereagh CC) Murphys team mate Paul Mulligan was 3rd, making it a top day for the Irish Team.

Willie Hamilton led the main field home at 2min 1 sec.

There is no change to the overall going in to tomorrows longest stage at Ballymena

Stage 4 result

1Paul Murphy North Monaghan-Crannog Ireland 49 miles in 1.50.10

2Ian Proctor Castlereagh CC-Mattest@ 26 sec

3Paul Mulligan North Monaghan @ 29 *

(Later demoted for receiving pace- all riders below move up one place)

4Ger Heverin Castlereagh-Mattest

5Matt Ward Phoenix CC

6Mark GreerSlane-Marylandall same time.

Provisional Overall after stage 4

1Evans4rs 41min 43sec

2Connor@ 18sec

3Rose @ 20

4Dempsey @ 26

5Hutchinson @ 42

6Doherty @ 44

7M Harrison @ 52

8Morrow @ 58

9C Birch @ 58

10 G Jones @ 1.02

Hutchinson Triumphs in battle of testers

It could almost have been predicted, Ulster-born British Time Trial Champion Michael Hutchinson again turned in a masterful display in wgain winning the Sunday morning ime Trial stage of the 2004 P&O Irish Sea Tour of the North at Craigantlet. Hutch was one of only 4 riders to break the 17 minute barrier for the 7.2 mile hilly circuit, and in doing so defeated Irish 10 mile record holder Tommy Evans and NI 10 mile Champion Ryan Connor.

This had the result of leapfrogging Evans in to the race leaders Pink Jersey, and Connor in to second with overnight leader Rose now down in 3rd

Stage 3 result

1Michael Hutchinson16.22

2Tommy Evans 16.44

3Ben Morrow 16.54

4Ryan Connor16.57

5George Rose17.10

6Jonathon Dempsey 17.11

Provisional Overall after 3 stages

1Evans2hrs 49min 32

2Connor @ 18 seconds

3Rose @ 20

4Dempsey @ 26

5Hutchinson@ 42

6Doherty @ 44

Rose still in control after Mournes Stage

Stage 2 Downpatrick Saturday 10 April

27 yearold George Rose (Energy Cycles Racing Team) holds on to the slenderest of leading margins following todays 62 mile stage around South Down and the Mourne Mountains.

A tough opener, with 4 AA King of the Hills primes, the first at after only 21 miles.

The race split apart on the first climb at Spelga, and first over the top was Matt Sewell (Energy Cycles) A group of around 30 moved clear with the rest of the 102 rider field spread out over the South Down roads. By the second climb at Rathfriland at 30 miles, local resident Don Travers (Banbridge CC) was first across the prime line, and by now the race leaders had stretched their advantage to 1.15 over the chasers. By climb 3 at Dromara that advantage had grown to 2.10 and again Travers, relishing the home terrain, was first over the top. 4 miles later at Dromara 2 Sewell was back in charge, and leads the competition by 1 point.

In the closing 15 miles the leading group fragmented, with 14 slipping of the front to draw clear by 1.12 at the finish back in Downpatrick.

On the line pre-race favourite Tommy Evans was pipped by Surrey League rider Chris Birch, with Gareth Jones (Energy Cycles) 3rd. Overnight race leader Rose was safely in the lead group, in 8th place.

With a 15 second bonus for first, when the calculations were done both Rose and Birch were tied on the same second, but on stage placings countback Rose holds on to the leaders Pink Jersey for tomorrows 2 stages around bangor, starting with a 7 mile Time Trial at 10am.

Result Stage 2 P&O Irish Sea Tour of the North - Downpatrick

1Chris Birch Energy Cycles RT62 miles in 2.30.36

2Tommy Evans Totalcycling-Litespeed

3Gareth JonesEnergy Cycles RT

4Willie Hamilton East Antrim-Audi

5Paul Slane Slane Cycles-Maryland Whs

6Ryan Connor Ballymena RC-Scott Rooftiles

7Denis Easton Slane Cycles-Maryland Whs

8George Rose Energy Cycles RT

9Greg Roche Energy Cycles RT

10 Mike Harrison Cyclesuperstore.co.ukall same time

AA King of the Hills

(1) Spelga (Cat 1) (2) Rathfriland (cat 1)

1Sewell 4 1Travers 4

2Travers 3 2 Sewell 3

3Thompson 2 3Rose 2

4Hutchinson 1 4Easton 1

(3)Dromara 1 (cat 2) (4) Dromara 2 (cat 2)

1Travers 3 1Sewell 3

2Sewell 2 2Roche 2

3Dempsey 1 3Travers 1

Overall

Sewell12

Travers 11

Provisional Overall Standings after Stage 2

1George RoseEnergy Cycles RT 2.32.42

2Chris Birch Surrey League 2.32.43

3Jonathon Dempsey Classic Walls RVCC @ 5 sec

4TommyEvans Totalcycling-Litespeed @ 6 sec

5= Willie Hamilton East Antrim-Audi

Gareth JonesEnergy Cycles RT

Mike HarrisonCyclesuperstore.co.uk all @ 9 sec

8= Ryan Connor Ballymena RC-Scotts

Luke Myer Surrey League both @ 11 sec

10 Denis Easton Slane Cycles-Maryland @ 12 sec

11 Brendan Doherty Totalcycling-Litespeed @ 13 sec

12 Paul Slane Slane Cycles-Maryland @14 sec

13 James NotleyCyclesuperstore.co.uk @ 15 sec

14 Greg Roche Energy Cycles RT @ 18 sec

Prologue Stage 1 Friday 9 April - Stormont

Rose in the Pink with Stormont record.

Welshman George Rose, riding for the Energycycles Racing Team opened his account at the P&O Irish Sea Tour of the North by winning the Prologue Hillclimb stage at Stormont on the outskirts of Belfast this evening.

In doing so he also set a new course record for the climb, previously held by countryman Julian Winn since 2001.

Rose`s ride of 2 minutes 5 seconds was 5 seconds ahead of 2002 Prologue winner Jonathon Dempsey (Classic Walls-Roe valley CC). East Antrim-Agnew Audi rider Ben Morrow, off number 15 of the 102 starters was the early leader with 2.11. He held the provisional race lead until Dempsey, off number 55 and Rose off number 78 relegated him to the minor podium place.

The threatened rain stayed away, but as the evening progressed the wind increased and got colder, perhaps giving a slight advantage to the earlier starters, but there was no stopping 27 yearold Rose as he put himself in to the race leaders Pink Jersey for tomorrows 62 mile stage at Downpatrick.

Last years event winner Tommy Evans posted a time of 2.21, and like the majority of the pre-race favourites is not far off the pace.

Prologue result & Provisional overall standings

1George Rose Energycycles RT 2.05

2Jonathon Dempsey Classic Walls-RVCC 2.10

3Ben Morrow East Antrim-Audi 2.11

4Willie Hamilton East Antrim-Audi 2.14.50

5Matt Ward Phoenix CC 2.14.53

6Mike Harrison Cyclesuperstore.co.uk 2.14.83

7Gary Crory Totalcycling-Litespeed 2.14.99

8Luke Myer Surrey league 2.16.08

9Stuart McManus Glasgow Wheelers 2.16.42

10 Ryan Connor Ballymena RC-Scotts 2.16.48