Tour of Ulster - NE

Ireland, May 1-3, 2004

2003 results Stage List Preview Past winners

The Stages

Stage 1 - May 1: Emyvale - Enniskillen, 68 miles
Stage 2 - May 2: Omagh, 75 miles
Stage 3 - May 2: Gortin Glen time trial, (short)
Stage 4 - May 3: Emyvale, 77 miles

O'Loughlin favourite for Tour of Ulster

By Tommy Campbell, Irish Independent, Evening Herald, Sunday Independent

David O'Loughlin now of Total Cycling-Lite Speed and the recent winner of the Murphy & Gunn Elliott Memorial has been installed as race favourite for the 47th edition of the Tour of Ulster, which starts Saturday with a 70-mile stage from Emyvale to Enniskillen.

O'Loughlin, a former professional with the American based Ofoto-Lombardi Sports team, will have the support of a very professional outfit which includes Tommy Evans, a former winner of the event in 1998.

The Cong-based cyclist admitted last Sunday that getting those UCI ranking points in the 'Elliott' was a real bonus. It has also give him a window of opportunity of representing Ireland in the Olympic Games in Athens. He goes to the Ulster event with hopes of adding to his two wins already achieved this season in the Credit Union Ras Mumhan in Killorglin over the Easter weekend.

O'Loughlin also avoided a whitewash of the Irish participants in Munster where 'The Recycling.Co.Uk/MG XPower' was all the conquering force where he won the time trial. Included in the Tour of Ulster's four stages is a time trial on Sunday, which should suit O'Loughlin, as his ability against the clock is one of his strong points.

The outcome of the three-day event may also be decided by the strength of the various squads. The Carrick Cidona outfit will likely come to the fore. With Rory Wyley and Timmy Barry, the team has two candidates who will not be found wanting when the chips are down.

Barry is a twice winner of the event in 2001 and last year. This season he has tasted success in the Mick Cahill Memorial and Bill Hyland in Clonmel. However his form has deserted him following several crashes that must have hampered his confidence. He has the miles in his legs, and the experience of being in Malaysia for the Tour of Langkawi in February will also boost his hopes of competing a unique treble.

Up to last Sunday, Conor Murphy was regarded as a safe pair of hands for the title in the U23 award, but the emergence of Mark Cassidy from the Cycleways Lee Strand team has shifted the favouritism to Mark who has just gone into the senior ranks. Sean Lacey from the Earl of Desmond Tralee Bicycle Club will certainly be in the top half of the draw for the generous U23 prize list.

With €5,000 on offer, thanks to the support of Omagh Sports Trust, Enniskillen District Council, Modern Tyre Services and Cookstown Credit Union, competition should be of the highest quality and with the FBD Milk Ras only three weeks away, many of the probable starters will be laying down markers.

Past winners

2003 Timmy Barry (Ire) Carraig Cidona
2002 Rob Holden (GBr) Isle Of Man
 
Past winners by Mario Stiehl, www.world-of-cycling.com