UCD’s Ross Collins climbs to victory today (Photo: Brendan Monaghan)
The top of the general classification has been significantly rearranged at this afternoon’s queen stage of the Newry Three-Day, with the 55-mile leg finishing up the Spelga Dam proving fruitful for some of the visitors from Dublin.
Ian Richardson from UCD CC took this morning’s 1.7mile TT and moved into the yellow jersey. And while he lost that in the afternoon after an untimely late puncture, his team mate Ross Collins took a great stage win.
Art MacManusa from South Dublin CC also profited today by taking over the yellow jersey from Richardson after some strong riding throughout the afternoon stage.
However, the challenge from the local riders is far from over, with emerging talent Cormac Clarke of the promoting Newry Wheelers now in second place overall; just four seconds down on GC. It was from an identical position that he took overall victory in the Ras Dhun na nGall earlier this month.
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The action began very early on this afternoon’s challenging 55 mile stage, with a dangerous move going clear after just two miles.
The group included: Stevie McKenna (Omagh), Matt Blayney (North Down), David Mc Knight and Darren Weir (both TVR), Kevin Lynch (Newry), Gareth McKee (Banbridge), stage 1 winner Nigel Quigley (Bann Wheelers), Brian Stewart (Phoenix), Fran Gibson (South Dublin CC) and Ross Collins (UCD).
With such a strong group, it was no surprise that they started pulling out a gap immediately. Back in the bunch the yellow jersey of Richardson and his team mates were not contributing to the chase because they had Ross Collins up the road, who they felt was a good bet for both stage and GC honours.
The breakaway was not long clear when the gap went out to two minutes, and shortly after that the news reaching the peloton was that it had jumped to three minutes.
In a move that would prove decisive, strongman Art MacManusa of South Dublin CC decided the gap was getting out of hand and he rode tempo at the head of the bunch for a prolonged period. His efforts succeeded in keeping the gap stable but it wasn’t coming down and at the half way point it was still three minutes.
With MacManusa having done more than his fair share, it was the men from the promoting club Newry Wheelers who decided to take charge and they began an organised and urgent chase at the front of the bunch.
At the top of the Reed Hall climb the gap had been reduced to two minutes and it was clear the breakaway was not going to be let simply ride off with the stage and GC.
Sensing their time out front was being threatened, the cohesion in the escape fell apart a little with Gareth McKee attacking going over the penultimate climb of the day.
However, the Newry riders leading the bunch continued with their efforts. And by the time the race reached the foot of Spelga Dam to begin the climb up to the finish, the gap between bunch and breakaway was now just one minute and falling.
The eventual stage winner, Ross Collins then took off out of the breakaway in pursuit of the lone McKee up the road. He caught and passed him and went on to claim the stage.
But before that, the fireworks went off in the bunch when young Cormac Clarke from Newry repaid his team’s efforts with a fine display up Spelga Dam. He rode out of the bunch and mopped up all of those ahead of him except the flying Collins.
Clarke was forced to settle for second on the stage just three seconds down on the winner. Stephen Harkins (Team Madigan) also put in a great ride up Spelga, taking third on the stage just 12 seconds down. And back in fourth it was MacManusa; coming home just 14 seconds down on the stage winner Collins and crucially just 11 seconds down on 17-year-old Clarke.
Those finishing times moved the deserving MacManusa into yellow, just four seconds up on the impressive Clarke. Stage winner Ross Collins is now third on GC, just seven seconds down. Gareth McKee’s aggression has put him into fourth on GC, with Stephen Harkins sixth.
This morning’s TT winner and yellow jersey at the start of the afternoon stage, Ian Richardson is now in seventh overall. He had the misfortune of puncturing on the penultimate climb and by the time he got back on the bunch had begun to split going up Spelga Dam. He still put in a very good ride to take 16th on the stage, 55 seconds down.
However, with 66 miles of testing roads facing the riders tomorrow, Sunday, and with a strong Newry man in second on GC and backed by a willing and able team; the race for yellow is far from over.
Collins holds the KOH jersey by one point from McKee, with Blayney taking the points jersey into tomorrow’s final stage.
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See full results below.
William Larmour of East Antrim has a ging off the front of the bunch (Photo: Brendan Monaghan)
Drew McKinley in Cavendishesque matching points jersey and glasses (Photo: Brendan Monaghan)
Yellow jersey Ian Richardson (left) lost time and the lead but is still in contention (Photo: Brendan Monaghan)
Stage 3 Results - Hilltown - Spelga
PL No. Name Team Time @
1 76 Collins,Ross UCD 2h13'50"
2 36 Clarke,Cormac Newry Wheelers A 2h13'53" @03"
3 70 Harkins,Stephen Team Madigan 2h14'02" @12"
4 61 Mac Manusa,Art South Dublin 2h14'04" @14"
5 85 McKee,Gareth Banbridge CC 2h14'10" @20"
6 64 Gibson,Fran South Dublin 2h14'14" @24"
7 19 McKinney,Bryan Duffin 2h14'23" @33"
8 63 Somers,Niall South Dublin 2h14'27" @37"
9 66 Delaney,Cian Stamullen 2h14'30" @40"
10 40 Blayney,Matt North Down 2h14'35" @45"
11 53 McAulay,Alastair Phoenix 2h14'38" @48"
12 48 OBrien,Pat Orwell Wheelers 2h14'40" @50"
13 72 McKnight,David TVR 2h14'42" @52"
14 56 Boyle,Tony Slanes 2h14'42" @ s/t
15 43 McKenna,Stephen Omagh Wheelers 2h14'42" @ s/t
16 77 Richardson,Ian UCD 2h14'45" @55"
17 62 O'Donohue,Aaron South Dublin 2h14'45" @ s/t
18 23 Larmour,William East Antrim 2h14'53" @01'03"
19 26 Jeffers,Gary East Tyrone 2h14'53" @ s/t
20 46 Collins,Aiden Orwell Wheelers 2h14'53" @ s/t
21 16 Quinn,Anthony Dromara 2h14'58" @01'08"
22 37 Woods,Des Newry Wheelers A 2h14'58" @ s/t
23 13 McCorry,Myles Cuchulainn 2h15'00" @01'10"
24 50 Mc Ardle,Brian Orwell Wheelers 2h15'01" @01'11"
25 74 Steele,Brian TVR 2h15'05" @01'15"
26 30 Quinn,Paul Island Wheelers 2h15'15" @01'25"
27 84 Wilkinson,Paul West Down Wheelers 2h15'16" @01'26"
28 25 Steele,Melvin East Tyrone 2h15'20" @01'30"
29 55 Stewart,Brian Phoenix 2h15'23" @01'33"
30 27 Watson,Lawrence Foyle CC 2h15'26" @01'36"
31 79 Morton,Eoin UCD 2h15'29" @01'39"
32 54 Meenan,Chris Phoenix 2h15'31" @01'41"
33 89 Young,Conor Cycling Ulster 2h15'31" @ s/t
34 6 Quigley,Nigel Bann Wheelers 2h15'33" @01'43"
35 14 Smyth,Ronnie Dromara 2h15'35" @01'45"
36 44 Reid,Ivan Omagh Wheelers 2h15'42" @01'52"
37 8 Grimes,Conor Clann Eirann 2h15'45" @01'55"
38 3 Reid,Declan Newry Wheelers B 2h15'45" @ s/t
39 12 Cunningham,Aidan Cuchulainn 2h15'45" @ s/t
40 10 McConville,Martin Clann Eirann 2h15'45" @ s/t
41 49 Collins,Diarmuid Orwell Wheelers 2h15'45" @ s/t
42 7 Kane,Bobby Bann Wheelers 2h15'49" @01'59"
43 75 Baines,Aaron TVR 2h15'51" @02'01"
44 86 Mc Ateer,Conor Cycling Ulster 2h15'51" @ s/t
45 60 Sheenan,Geoff South Dublin 2h15'57" @02'07"
46 18 Mc Ilwaine,Devon Duffin 2h16'01" @02'11"
47 11 Gault,Jay Clann Eirann 2h16'05" @02'15"
48 47 Whiting,Dan Orwell Wheelers 2h16'05" @ s/t
49 38 Ferguson,Paul North Down 2h16'05" @ s/t
50 21 Doherty,Brendan VC Glendale 2h16'05" @ s/t
51 1 McConville,Peter Newry Wheelers B 2h16'05" @ s/t
52 87 Doyle,Matthew Cycling Ulster 2h16'10" @02'20"
53 52 Smyth,John Phoenix 2h16'13" @02'23"
54 73 Weir,Darren TVR 2h16'17" @02'27"
55 35 Lynch,Kevin Newry Wheelers A 2h16'17" @ s/t
56 90 Kennedy,Peter East Antrim 2h16'21" @02'31"
57 5 Quinn,Conor Newry Wheelers B 2h16'21" @ s/t
58 71 McEvoy,Neil TVR 2h16'21" @ s/t
59 42 Irvine,Mark North Down 2h16'39" @02'49"
60 39 McCullough,Richard North Down 2h16'43" @02'53"
61 41 Mc Mullan,Micheal North Down 2h16'43" @ s/t
62 4 McConvey,Eamon Newry Wheelers B 2h16'43" @ s/t
63 45 Graham,Andrew Omagh Wheelers 2h16'58" @03'08"
64 32 Farrell,Rory Lucan 2h17'18" @03'28"
65 59 McDonald,Paul Slipstream Race Team 2h17'40" @03'50"
66 33 McKinley,Drew Newry Wheelers A 2h17'53" @04'03"
67 34 Featherstone,Sean Newry Wheelers A 2h17'53" @ s/t
68 80 Parker,Barrick UCD 2h18'03" @04'13"
69 78 O Conluain,Ciaran UCD 2h18'03" @ s/t
70 31 Hughes,Peter Island Wheelers 2h18'07" @04'17"
71 68 Dargle,Paul Stamullen 2h18'15" @04'25"
72 17 O Hagan,Niall Duffin 2h18'15" @ s/t
73 29 McKeown,Alan Island Wheelers 2h18'15" @ s/t
74 83 Walker,Allister West Down Wheelers 2h18'26" @04'36"
75 82 Walker,Ian West Down Wheelers 2h18'50" @05'00"
76 9 Bann-Lavery,John Clann Eirann 2h18'53" @05'03"
77 2 McGreevy,Sean Newry Wheelers B 2h18'53" @ s/t
78 81 Baines,Stevie TVR 2h19'03" @05'13"
79 24 Wilson,Gary East Antrim 2h19'19" @05'29"
80 22 McKenna,Kieran East Antrim 2h19'42" @05'52"
81 65 Mc Grath,Thomas Stamullen 2h19'49" @05'59"
82 58 O Callaghan,Michael Slipstream Race Team 2h20'54" @07'04"
83 51 Millar,Mike Phoenix 2h22'20" @08'30"
84 28 O Hagan,John Island Wheelers 2h22'20" @ s/t
85 57 Hopton,Trevor Slipstream Race Team 2h24'56" @11'06"
86 69 O Connell,Ciaran Stamullen 2h25'03" @11'13"
87 20 Watson,Colm VC Glendale 2h25'36" @11'46"
Primes
KOH Category 1: Reed Hall
1 Collins,R 10pts
2 McKee,G 7pts
3 McKnight,D 5pts
4 Quigley,N 3pts
5 Blayney,M 1pt
KOH Category 1: Elm Hall
1 McKee,G 10pts
2 McKnight,D 7pts
3 Quigley,N 5pts
4 Blayney,M 3pts
5 Weir,D 1pt
KOH Category 1: Spelga Finish Line
1 Collins,R 10pts
2 Clarke,C 7pts
3 Harkins,S 5pts
4 Mac Manusa,A 3pts
5 McKee,G 1pt
Hotspot Sprint: Hilltown Lap 1
1 Blayney,M 5pts
2 Weir,D 3pts
3 McKee,G 1pt 1"
Hotspot Sprint: Hilltown Lap 2
PL No. Name Tm Pts Sec
1 40 Blayney,M 5pts
2 73 Weir,D 3pts
3 35 Lynch,K 1pt 1"
General Classification
PL No. STG Time/Pl Name CAT Team GC Time @
1 61 2h14'04"/4 Mac Manusa,Art 2 South Dublin 4h00'11"
2 36 2h13'53"/2 Clarke,Cormac J Newry Wheelers A 4h00'15" @04"
3 76 2h13'50"/1 Collins,Ross 2 UCD 4h00'18" @07"
4 85 2h14'10"/5 McKee,Gareth 3 Banbridge CC 4h00'31" @20"
5 70 2h14'02"/3 Harkins,Stephen V Team Madigan 4h00'32" @21"
6 19 2h14'23"/7 McKinney,Bryan 2 Duffin 4h00'33" @22"
7 77 2h14'45"/16 Richardson,Ian 2 UCD 4h00'43" @32"
8 64 2h14'14"/6 Gibson,Fran 2 South Dublin 4h00'45" @34"
9 63 2h14'27"/8 Somers,Niall 3 South Dublin 4h00'46" @35"
10 66 2h14'30"/9 Delaney,Cian 3 Stamullen 4h00'50" @39"
11 40 2h14'35"/10 Blayney,Matt 2 North Down 4h00'54" @43"
12 62 2h14'45"/17 O'Donohue,Aaron 2 South Dublin 4h01'05" @54"
13 72 2h14'42"/13 McKnight,David V TVR 4h01'07" @56"
14 53 2h14'38"/11 McAulay,Alastair 3 Phoenix 4h01'08" @57"
15 26 2h14'53"/19 Jeffers,Gary 2 East Tyrone 4h01'09" @58"
16 23 2h14'53"/18 Larmour,William 2 East Antrim 4h01'17" @01'06"
17 43 2h14'42"/15 McKenna,Stephen 2 Omagh Wheelers 4h01'19" @01'08"
18 56 2h14'42"/14 Boyle,Tony V Slanes 4h01'32" @01'21"
19 13 2h15'00"/23 McCorry,Myles 2 Cuchulainn 4h01'32" = s/t
20 48 2h14'40"/12 OBrien,Pat 2 Orwell Wheelers 4h01'36" @01'25"
21 84 2h15'16"/27 Wilkinson,Paul 2 West Down Wheelers 4h01'39" @01'28"
22 74 2h15'05"/25 Steele,Brian V TVR 4h01'40" @01'29"
23 37 2h14'58"/22 Woods,Des V Newry Wheelers A 4h01'42" @01'31"
24 16 2h14'58"/21 Quinn,Anthony 3 Dromara 4h01'45" @01'34"
25 6 2h15'33"/34 Quigley,Nigel V Bann Wheelers 4h01'49" @01'38"
26 79 2h15'29"/31 Morton,Eoin 3 UCD 4h01'59" @01'48"
27 46 2h14'53"/20 Collins,Aiden 2 Orwell Wheelers 4h02'00" @01'49"
28 50 2h15'01"/24 Mc Ardle,Brian 3 Orwell Wheelers 4h02'00" = s/t
29 30 2h15'15"/26 Quinn,Paul 3 Island Wheelers 4h02'02" @01'51"
30 27 2h15'26"/30 Watson,Lawrence 3 Foyle CC 4h02'03" @01'52"
31 14 2h15'35"/35 Smyth,Ronnie V Dromara 4h02'08" @01'57"
32 54 2h15'31"/32 Meenan,Chris V Phoenix 4h02'10" @01'59"
33 25 2h15'20"/28 Steele,Melvin 3 East Tyrone 4h02'11" @02'00"
34 18 2h16'01"/46 Mc Ilwaine,Devon 2 Duffin 4h02'12" @02'01"
35 8 2h15'45"/37 Grimes,Conor 3 Clann Eirann 4h02'14" @02'03"
36 86 2h15'51"/44 Mc Ateer,Conor J Cycling Ulster 4h02'15" @02'04"
37 44 2h15'42"/36 Reid,Ivan 3 Omagh Wheelers 4h02'22" @02'11"
38 89 2h15'31"/33 Young,Conor J Cycling Ulster 4h02'24" @02'13"
39 87 2h16'10"/52 Doyle,Matthew J Cycling Ulster 4h02'34" @02'23"
40 60 2h15'57"/45 Sheenan,Geoff 2 South Dublin 4h02'35" @02'24"
41 11 2h16'05"/47 Gault,Jay V Clann Eirann 4h02'38" @02'27"
42 49 2h15'45"/41 Collins,Diarmuid 2 Orwell Wheelers 4h02'40" @02'29"
43 10 2h15'45"/40 McConville,Martin V Clann Eirann 4h02'40" = s/t
44 75 2h15'51"/43 Baines,Aaron 2 TVR 4h02'46" @02'35"
45 7 2h15'49"/42 Kane,Bobby 3 Bann Wheelers 4h02'48" @02'37"
46 21 2h16'05"/50 Doherty,Brendan V VC Glendale 4h02'48" = s/t
47 1 2h16'05"/51 McConville,Peter V Newry Wheelers B 4h02'49" @02'38"
48 3 2h15'45"/38 Reid,Declan J Newry Wheelers B 4h02'50" @02'39"
49 35 2h16'17"/55 Lynch,Kevin V Newry Wheelers A 4h02'51" @02'40"
50 90 2h16'21"/56 Kennedy,Peter 3 East Antrim 4h02'55" @02'44"
51 12 2h15'45"/39 Cunningham,Aidan 2 Cuchulainn 4h02'58" @02'47"
52 47 2h16'05"/48 Whiting,Dan 2 Orwell Wheelers 4h03'03" @02'52"
53 73 2h16'17"/54 Weir,Darren 2 TVR 4h03'03" = s/t
54 71 2h16'21"/58 McEvoy,Neil 3 TVR 4h03'07" @02'56"
55 5 2h16'21"/57 Quinn,Conor 3 Newry Wheelers B 4h03'07" = s/t
56 39 2h16'43"/60 McCullough,Richard 3 North Down 4h03'26" @03'15"
57 41 2h16'43"/61 Mc Mullan,Micheal V North Down 4h03'38" @03'27"
58 42 2h16'39"/59 Irvine,Mark 2 North Down 4h03'51" @03'40"
59 55 2h15'23"/29 Stewart,Brian V Phoenix 4h03'56" @03'45"
60 59 2h17'40"/65 McDonald,Paul 3 Slipstream Race Team 4h04'14" @04'03"
61 34 2h17'53"/67 Featherstone,Sean 2 Newry Wheelers A 4h04'23" @04'12"
62 32 2h17'18"/64 Farrell,Rory 3 Lucan 4h04'32" @04'21"
63 33 2h17'53"/66 McKinley,Drew 3 Newry Wheelers A 4h04'36" @04'25"
64 31 2h18'07"/70 Hughes,Peter V Island Wheelers 4h04'39" @04'28"
65 80 2h18'03"/68 Parker,Barrick 3 UCD 4h04'41" @04'30"
66 78 2h18'03"/69 O Conluain,Ciaran 2 UCD 4h04'42" @04'31"
67 29 2h18'15"/73 McKeown,Alan 3 Island Wheelers 4h04'52" @04'41"
68 38 2h16'05"/49 Ferguson,Paul 2 North Down 4h05'06" @04'55"
69 68 2h18'15"/71 Dargle,Paul J Stamullen 4h05'16" @05'05"
70 83 2h18'26"/74 Walker,Allister 3 West Down Wheelers 4h05'31" @05'20"
71 52 2h16'13"/53 Smyth,John V Phoenix 4h05'41" @05'30"
72 4 2h16'43"/62 McConvey,Eamon V Newry Wheelers B 4h06'03" @05'52"
73 22 2h19'42"/80 McKenna,Kieran V East Antrim 4h06'05" @05'54"
74 81 2h19'03"/78 Baines,Stevie 3 TVR 4h06'24" @06'13"
75 17 2h18'15"/72 O Hagan,Niall 3 Duffin 4h06'46" @06'35"
76 9 2h18'53"/76 Bann-Lavery,John 3 Clann Eirann 4h07'51" @07'40"
77 82 2h18'50"/75 Walker,Ian V West Down Wheelers 4h07'59" @07'48"
78 24 2h19'19"/79 Wilson,Gary V East Antrim 4h08'15" @08'04"
79 65 2h19'49"/81 Mc Grath,Thomas 3 Stamullen 4h08'45" @08'34"
80 51 2h22'20"/83 Millar,Mike 3 Phoenix 4h08'48" @08'37"
81 2 2h18'53"/77 McGreevy,Sean V Newry Wheelers B 4h09'44" @09'33"
82 45 2h16'58"/63 Graham,Andrew 3 Omagh Wheelers 4h11'50" @11'39"
83 28 2h22'20"/84 O Hagan,John 3 Island Wheelers 4h12'24" @12'13"
84 69 2h25'03"/86 O Connell,Ciaran J Stamullen 4h15'22" @15'11"
85 57 2h24'56"/85 Hopton,Trevor V Slipstream Race Team 4h15'29" @15'18"
86 20 2h25'36"/87 Watson,Colm V VC Glendale 4h15'54" @15'43"
87 58 2h20'54"/82 O Callaghan,Michael V Slipstream Race Team 4h15'55" @15'44"
McKinley Contracts Points Competition
PL No. Name TM Pts
1 40 Blayney,M 15
2 76 Collins,R 12
3 33 McKinley,D 10
4 36 Clarke,C 9
5 6 Quigley,N 6
6 73 Weir,D 6
7 72 McKnight,D 5
8 70 Harkins,S 4
9 64 Gibson,F 4
10 61 Mac Manusa,A 3
11 85 McKee,G 3
12 27 Watson,L 3
13 21 Doherty,B 3
14 19 McKinney,B 1
15 87 Doyle,M 1
16 35 Lynch,K 1
17 5 Quinn,C 1
FPM King of the Mountains
PL No. Name TM Pts
1 76 Collins,R 20
2 85 McKee,G 19
3 36 Clarke,C 17
4 72 McKnight,D 12
5 61 Mac Manusa,A 10
6 70 Harkins,S 10
7 6 Quigley,N 8
8 40 Blayney,M 4
9 77 Richardson,I 3
10 73 Weir,D 1
Team General Classification
PL Name Time
1 South Dublin 12h01'31"
2 UCD @ 01'29"
3 Newry Wheelers A @ 03'04"
4 Phoenix @ 03'24"
5 TVR @ 03'25"
6 Orwell Wheelers @ 03'52"
7 Cycling Ulster @ 05'42"
8 North Down @ 05'45"
9 Clann Eirann @ 06'01"
10 Newry Wheelers B @ 07'15"
11 Duffin @ 08'00"
12 East Antrim @ 08'23"
13 Island Wheelers @ 10'02"
14 Stamullen @ 11'24"
15 West Down Wheelers @ 13'38"
16 Omagh Wheelers @ 14'00"
17 Slipstream Race Team @ 34'07"
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