Sherlock salutes for stage victory while Armstrong punches the air for GC triumph (Photo: Marian Lamb – Cycling Ulster)
Adam Armstrong (Eurocycles) has regained the Tour of Ulster GC crown he first took two years ago, after he and Ryan Sherlock (Iverk Produce Carrick Wheelers) showed their superiority on today’s final stage, going clear together and pulling out a lead of over five minutes on the yellow jersey group.
Sherlock won the stage and moved up to second overall while Armstrong takes the winner’s yellow jersey for the 2012 edition.
Both riders were part of an eight man group that included yellow jersey Matt Higgins (NODE4-Giordana) which closed down a very brave breakaway by Conor Murphy (Eurocycles) and Greg Swinand (Usher IRC).
That duo were second and third on GC this morning meaning their bid for glory put the yellow jersey of Higgins and his team mates under real pressure for much of today’s final stage.
When they were caught by the very strong eight-man chase group, the riders had completed nine of the 6.7 miles circuits, with just two remaining before the race ended in Dungannon.
Eurocycles played their hand perfectly. As soon as Murphy was caught, Armstrong cleared off with Sherlock for company and immediately the yellow jersey of Higgins looked in real trouble.
The leading duo – two of the strongest riders in the country – were fully committed and as soon as they attacked the gap went to 30 seconds and kept going. Just into the final lap they had a massive 2:53 on the chase group and Higgins had lost the race.
With Armstrong having a 15 second advantage on Sherlock on GC this morning, the race overall was always his to win but Sherlock at least had the satisfaction of taking a very wet and dirty final stage and second on GC. Ian Bell of the Isle of Man was third today.
We’ll have much more on this later.
Calm before (during?) the storm: GC leader Higgins and Armstrong at the front just after the start
Early move today: Swinand (left) and Murphy rode without fear (Photo: Marian Lamb – Cycling Ulster)
GC leader Higgins (front left) leads the eight-man chase after Swinand and Murphy (Photos: Marian Lamb – Cycling Ulster)
Stage 4 Results
- Sherlock,Ryan Iverk Produce Carrick Whs 3h01’41”
- Armstrong,Adam Eurocycles Eurocycles 3h01’41”
- Bell,Darren Ellan Vannin 3h06’17” @04’36”
- O’Shea,John Iverk Produce Carrick Whs 3h07’14” @05’33”
- Barry,Michael Cuchulainn Cycling Club 3h07’16” @05’35”
General Classification
- Armstrong,Adam Eurocycles 8h54’10”
- Sherlock,Ryan Iverk Produce Carrick Wh 8h54’25” @15″
- Higgins,Matt Node 4 Giordana 8h58’46” @04’36”
- Murphy,Conor Eurocycles 8h59’06” @04’56”
- Swinand,Greg Usher IRC 8h59’08” @04’58”