Terrible conditions have forced the cancellation of the Tour of Ulster’s second stage this afternoon. At present we don’t now how or when the race will resume but we will keep you informed. (Photo: Marian Lamb – Cycling Ulster)
By Brian Canty
The second stage of the Tour of Ulster has been cancelled this afternoon due to the adverse weather conditions.
The 154-kilometre leg from Belfast to Newry had gotten underway and the first group on the road containing Bryan McCrystal (Team ASEA), Mark Dowling (DID Electrical Dunboyne) and Sean Hahessy (Irish Development Team) had a small advantage on a chase group of five who in turn had 40 seconds on the peloton.
In the chase group were Patrick Clarke (Clare Alarms), Roger Aiken (Team ASEA), Eoin Morton (UCD CC), Sean Lacey and Anthony Walsh (Aquablue) and Mark Downey (Irish Development Team).
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The decision to cancel the race was taken by race officials who felt it was unsafe to continue.
The main field had taken a wrong turn earlier and the action was stopped to correct that, then restarted for a short period before being abandoned.
At the time of writing, all riders have been asked to return to the Canal Court Hotel where a contingency plan will be thrashed out.
As is usually the case in scenarios like this, the breakaway men and those in the chase group will be given their respective time gaps when the race resumes.
However, at this juncture, it’s not yet known whether stage two will be cancelled completely and resume with stage three. This scenario looks most likely.
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The opening 55 kilometres of the stage today had been frantic with a number of groups getting clear and subsequently brought back.
Race leader Damien Shaw came down in a crash having been up the road earlier but he was okay to continue.
Several riders abandoned the race before it was cancelled, though it’s not known whether this was on account of the weather or crashes.
Andrew Gregg (North Down CC) took the first sprint points of the day after 20 kilometres. Patrick Clarke (Clare Alarms) took the next one and they were level on 10 points each when the race was stopped.
The stage had six climbs, though only two were completed. And it was Irish debutant Christopher McGlinchey who crested the first summit at the head of affairs.
Bryan McCrystal took maximum points on the second one after 50 kilometres and they were just on the approach of the category one climb at Spelga Dam when the race was cancelled.
There were unconfirmed reports of sleet at the top of the climb, which would have made the descent very dangerous.
We’ll bring you more when we get it.
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