McKhee strikes from late escape for classy win at Tour of the North

Gareth McKhee of Banbridge CC takes the opening stage, and the first yellow jersey, of the Tour of the North ahead of Dutch rider Thijs Nijvelct (Photo with thanks to Jerry Rafferty)

By Brian Canty

Gareth McKhee has won the opening stage of the Tour of the North this afternoon from Dutchman Thijs Nijvelct (WTOS – Delft).

The pair clipped off the front of the bunch after the last king of the hills prime at Glenariffe and together they managed to stay away to contest the sprint, McKhee getting the verdict.

It’s a brilliant win for the Banbridge CC man and capped a superb day for the club, with team members Mark Downey and guest rider Chris McGlinchey taking third and seventh respectively.

What’s more is there were bonus seconds on the line, with McKhee collecting three seconds, Nijvelct getting two and Downey one second.

The latter led in the bunch six seconds behind McKhee and will lead the young rider classification going into tomorrow morning’s seven kilometre time-trial.

The 104-kilometre stage today was a difficult one with four categorised climbs, the first of which came straight after the drop of the flag when the 120-rider peloton hit the base of a category two ascent known as Shane’s Hill.

Numerous groups formed and looked threatening in the early part but all were brought back.

Ronan McLaughlin, riding for Team ASEA, was particularly strong and he featured on all the climbs, meaning he’ll wear the climbers’ jersey tomorrow.

As well as the morning time-trial there’s an afternoon stage of 100 kilometres and with three climbs it should really shake up the general classification.