P&O Irish Sea Tour of the North - NE

Ireland, April 9-13, 2004

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Stage 6 - April 13: Castlereagh RR, 70 miles

Connor triumphs in P&O thriller

By Anthony Mitchell

The final stage of the 2004 P&O Irish Sea 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 six miles when main challenger Tommy Evans coasted to the side of the road just outside comber. As the 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.

So with Evans out of the way, race leader Connor had to look to Draperstown man Jonathon Dempsey for his nearest challenge, as Dempsey was only 40 seconds off the race lead.

The twisty hilly roads on the Ards Peninsula, Matt Ward took the first AA King of the Hills 1 at Killinchy. Going in to the final stage, two riders were locked together in contention for overall King of the Hills honours. Matt Sewell (Energy Cycles RT) and Don Travers (Banbridge CC) were both on 15 points, with Sewell donning the leaders Polka Dot Jersey on a countback basis.

Small groups continued to nip off the front of the race, but generally did not gain more than a handful of seconds as the demanding roads and worsening weather conditions took their toll. After the two AA climbs at Raffery, Sewell and Travers both were in the points, with Sewell moving ahead by one point with the final assault of the Gilnahirk Rd to come. Sewell was second across the Prime line on the final counter, to give him the overall win in the competition.

Shortly after the final climb a group of five riders forged an advantage, and among their number were Dempsey, now in second place 40 seconds in arrears, and Denis Easton (11th at 1 min 41 seconds) In the closing miles their advantage stretched towards the half minute mark, however determined efforts by Connor ensured the field was back together by the run in to Dundonald.

On the run in three riders opened a small advantage, with Sewell taking the sprint ahead of local Castlereagh CC rider Ian Proctor with Connor Murphy (North Monaghan) third. James Notley (Cyclestore.co.uk) lead the remnants of the main field, including a delighted Connor, home six seconds later.

Having celebrated his 20th Birthday only last week, Connor is undoubtedly the youngest winner of the Easter Classic which next year marks its 50th Anniversary, safe in the knowledge that P&O Irish Sea are again board as title sponsor, a fact confirmed by P&O Irish Sea Marketing Manager James Esler as he congratulated the riders at the prize presentation.

Results

1 Matt Sewell (Energy Cycles Racing Team)            2.41.15
2 Ian Proctor (Castlereagh CC-Mattest)
3 Connor Murphy (North Monaghan CC-Crannog Ire)
4 James Notley (Cyclesuperstore.co.uk)                  0.06
5 Paul Harte (Phoenix CC)
6 Willie Hamilton (East Antrim-Audi)
7 Mark Greer (Slane Cycles-maryland Whs)
8 Ian Nimo (Saltire Select)
9 Alastair Irvine (Toyota North Down CC)
10 Nigel Somers (Northern CC-Dave Kane Cycles)
 
Final general classification
 
1 Ryan Connor (Ballymena Road Club-Scott Rooftiles)  10.48.09
2 Jonathon Dempsey (Classic Walls-Roe Valley CC)        0.40
3 Brendan Doherty (Totalcycling-Litespeed)              0.58
4 Mike Harrison (Cyclesuperstore.co.uk)                 1.06
5 George Rose (Energy Cycles RT)                        1.09
6 James Notley (Cyclesuperstore.co.uk)                  1.10
7 Ben Morrow (East Antrim-Audi)                         1.12
8 Willie Hamilton (East Antrim-Audi)                    1.17
9 Luke Myer (Surrey League)                             1.33
10 Denis Easton (Totalcycling-Litespeed)                1.41
 
Mountains classification
 
1 Matt Sewell (Energy Cycles RT)                          23 pts
2 Don Travers (banbridge CC)                              19
3 Ian Nimo (Saltire Select)                                5
 
Juniors
 
1 Adam Petrie Armstrong (Northern-Dave Kane Cycles)
 
Veterans
 
1 Len Kirk (Ards CC)
 
Teams
 
1 Energy Cycles
2 Cyclesuperstore.Co.Uk
3 Surrey League

Coming!