Deposed race leader Duncan does it again to win stage three of the Tour of the North

Fraser Duncan has simply been too hot to handle this season. Today he claimed his second stage win at the Tour of the North in a mass bunch sprint in Ballymena (Photo: Marian Lamb - Cycling Ulster)

He may have been overthrown as race leader in this morning's individual time trial at Woodgreen, but that didn't stop Fraser Duncan storming to his second victory at the Tour of the North in as many days this afternoon.

Duncan lost his overall lead on the race by just 11 seconds to British pro James Gullen in this morning's two mile time trial.

Despite numerous concerted efforts to break clear during this afternoon's third stage, which was run on six laps of an undulating 18km course, Gullen's Velosure Giordana squad set a steady tempo on the front of the peloton for most of the day and reeled everything in by the finish.

That still didn't stop Duncan however as he sprinted home at the front of a mass bunch gallop in Ballymena for his second victory in as many days and a whopping seventh win of the season.

There was no change overall with Gullen retaining an 11 second lead over Duncan with one stage remaining.

More later.

Sunday April 20th, Tour of the North

Stage 3 - Ballymena Circuit (108km)

Brief Stage Results

1	Duncan,Fraser	Northern CC-D Kane	2^h28^m01^s
2	Hawkins,Peter	Cycling Ulster	2^h28^m01^s
3	Hepworth,Richard	Velosure Giordana	2^h28^m01^s
4	Waller,Jack	Spirit Bikes RT	2^h28^m01^s
5	Sweetman,Craig	Stamullen	2^h28^m01^s
Related News Lara Gillespie attacks Dolomite stage as Giro hits high mountains Video - Ireland's Meehan climbs with best on brutal Alpine terrain 6	McMaster,James	North Down CC	2^h28^m01^s
7	Dredge,Chris	Spirit Bikes RT	2^h28^m01^s
8	Christie,Marcus	North Pole CC	2^h28^m01^s
9	Byrne,Dillon	Champion Systems	2^h28^m01^s
10	McAuley,Alastair	Phoenix CC	2^h28^m01^s
11	McLaughlin,Ronan	North Pole CC	2^h28^m01^s
12	Watson,Dave	North Down CC	2^h28^m01^s
13	Quigley,Nigel	Bann Wheelers	2^h28^m01^s
14	Lowe,Dave	Dave Hinde RT	2^h28^m01^s
15	Stolwijk,Arian	WTOS Delft	2^h28^m01^s
16	Lawley,Steven William	Glasgow Wheelers	2^h28^m01^s
17	Stewart,Brian	Phoenix CC	2^h28^m01^s
18	McAllister,Leo	Cookstown CT	2^h28^m01^s
19	Hargreaves,Jordan	Champion Systems	2^h28^m01^s
20	Downey,Mark	Cycling Ireland Juniors	2^h28^m01^s