Armstrong is in flying form; he beats Moss for the stage win today (Photo: Marian Lamb – Cycling Ulster)
Adam Armstrong (Eurocycles) has lived up to his billing as one of the big pre race favourites in the Tour of Ulster, taking today’s opening stage and with it the first yellow jersey of this year’s race. He also holds the climbers’ jersey after another dominant display following on from his recent good run.
The Newtownards man arrived at the finish in Dungannon after 88 miles with just ‘Tour of the North’ winner James Moss (NODE4 Giordana) for company.
He out kicked the British professional after the duo managed to get clear in the closing stages of what was left of a lead group of around 20 riders.
Elliot Baxter of the Isle of Man Ellan Vannin team was next home, wining the gallop for third from a group of three that included the NODE4 Giordana pair of Matt Higgins and Ricco Rodgers.
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The win capped a very good day for Armstrong who won two of five KOM primes along the route and was second in the other three.
He takes the yellow jersey into the 66 mile stage 2 tomorrow morning; which again starts and finishes in Dungannon. The riders then face a two-mile TT in the afternoon, with the race concluding with a road stage on Monday.
Armstrong will fancy his chances of holding the lead all the way, though the NODE4 Giordana team look very strong and now have three riders in the top five on GC.
There are also six other riders within ten seconds of the yellow jersey after today’s stage. They are: Armstrong’s Eurocycles team mates Conor Murphy and Thomas Martin; Ryan Sherlock (Iverk Produce Carrick Wheelers); Greg Swinand (Usher IRC); Andy Roche (Ellan Vannin) and Anthony Walsh of UCD).
Sherlock in particular will fancy his chances in tomorrow’s TT and if he can maintain or even slightly improve his position during tomorrow morning’s road stage he will feel he can claw back some time in the TT, although at just two miles the scope to recover time is relatively limited.
UCD’s Walsh rode very well today bearing in mind that he is recovering from a very difficult period of injury having broken his scapula, collar bone and two ribs in a crash in France in the first weeks of the season.
There was bad news today for one of the main favourites Philip Lavery. The young Dubliner has been floored with a stomach bug and was forced to pack today.
That’s a tough blow for the NODE4-Giordana rider who was been in great form the past couple of months. However, he at least has the consolation of knowing he has a couple of weeks to get himself right before the An Post Ras.
Stage 1: Dungannon-Dungannon 88 miles
Related News
1 Armstrong,Adam Eurocycles 3h20'50"
2 Moss,James Node 4 Giordana 3h20'50"
3 Baxter,Elliot Ellan Vannin 3h20'57" @07"
4 Higgins,Matt Node 4 Giordana 3h20'57" @ s/t
5 Rodgers,Ricco Node 4 Giordana 3h20'57" @ s/t
6 Martin,Thomas Eurocycles 3h21'00" @10"
7 Sherlock,Ryan Iverk Produce Carrick Wheelers 3h21'00" @ s/t
8 Swinand,Greg Usher IRC 3h21'00" @ s/t
9 Murphy,Conor Eurocycles 3h21'00" @ s/t
10 Roche,Andrew Ellan Vannin 3h21'00" @ s/t
11 Walsh,Antony UCD 3h21'00" @ s/t
12 Bell,Darren Ellan Vannin 3h22'02" @01'12"
13 Mullan,Ryan Irish Development Team 3h22'14" @01'24"
14 Dunlop,Dane Lakeland Cycling Club 3h23'40" @02'50"
15 Barry,Michael Cuchulainn Cycling Club 3h26'55" @06'05"
16 Ryder,Mike Galway Bay CC 3h27'00" @06'10"
17 Houston,Kyle Chain Reaction Cycles / Vitus 3h27'02" @06'12"
18 Clarke,Patrick Terra Footwear - Bicycle Line 3h28'04" @07'14"
19 McDonald,Damien Team Vision Racing 3h28'46" @07'56"
20 Reilly,Chris Bohermeen CC 3h28'46" @ s/t
21 Cassidy,Colm UCD 3h28'47" @07'57"
22 Clarke,Ciaran Castlebar CC 3h28'47" @ s/t
23 McAllister,Conor Chain Reaction Cycles / Vitus 3h28'47" @ s/t
24 Manusa,Art South Dublin Cycling Club 3h28'47" @ s/t
25 Meehan,Aidan DID Dunboyne CC 3h28'47" @ s/t
26 Devlin,Rory Northpole Cycling Club 3h28'47" @ s/t
27 Coyle,Chris Castlebar CC 3h28'47" @ s/t
28 Considine,Eoghan Black Rose Racing 3h28'47" @ s/t
29 Clifford,Eoghan Galway Bay CC 3h28'47" @ s/t
30 McAllister,Leo Chain Reaction Cycles / Vitus 3h28'47" @ s/t
31 McMaster,James Curran Racing 3h28'47" @ s/t
32 Heverin,John Clann Eireann 3h28'47" @ s/t
33 Mason,John DID Dunboyne CC 3h28'47" @ s/t
34 O'Shanghnessy,Ray Cuchulainn Cycling Club 3h28'47" @ s/t
35 Brennan,David Castlebar CC 3h28'47" @ s/t
36 O'Sullivan,Stephen DID Dunboyne CC 3h28'47" @ s/t
37 Duncan,Frazer Eurocycles 3h28'57" @08'07"
38 Richardson,Ian UCD 3h29'10" @08'20"
39 Crowley,A DID Dunboyne CC 3h32'00" @11'10"
40 Laverty,Colm Stamullen 3h32'05" @11'15"
41 Joyce,Derek Galway Bay CC 3h32'05" @ s/t
42 McGlynn,Noel UCD 3h32'05" @ s/t
43 Javan,Nulty DID Dunboyne CC 3h32'05" @ s/t
44 Madden,John Curran Racing 3h32'05" @ s/t
45 McKnight,David Team Vision Racing 3h32'05" @ s/t
46 McCarthy,Eoin Irish Development Team 3h32'27" @11'37"
47 Rigley,Sean Irish Development Team 3h32'31" @11'41"
48 Walls,Keith DID Dunboyne CC 3h32'34" @11'44"
49 Stewart,Daniel Irish Development Team 3h32'34" @ s/t
50 Hutchinson,Stephen East Tyrone 3h32'34" @ s/t
51 Black,Tom Ellan Vannin 3h32'34" @ s/t
52 Lagan,Damian Northpole Cycling Club 3h32'34" @ s/t
53 Connors,Odhran Orwell Wheelers 3h32'34" @ s/t
54 Sweetman,Craig Stamullen 3h32'34" @ s/t
55 Clancy,Stephen Irish Development Team 3h32'34" @ s/t
56 McCorry,Myles Cuchulainn Cycling Club 3h32'34" @ s/t
57 Steele,Alastair Spires Cycling Club 3h32'34" @ s/t
58 Harrington,Donal Western Lakes CC 3h32'34" @ s/t
59 Lucey,Michael Iverk Produce Carrick Wheelers 3h32'34" @ s/t
60 McMahon,Hugh DID Dunboyne CC 3h32'34" @ s/t
61 Collins,Aidan Orwell Wheelers 3h32'34" @ s/t
62 O'Connor,Frank Stamullen 3h32'34" @ s/t
63 Halpin,Stephen Iverk Produce Carrick Wheelers 3h32'34" @ s/t
64 Marrey,Padraig Western Lakes CC 3h32'34" @ s/t
65 Moriarty,Eugene DID Dunboyne CC 3h32'34" @ s/t
66 Bann-Lavery,John Clann Eireann 3h32'34" @ s/t
67 O'Mhuire,Fiachra DID Dunboyne CC 3h32'34" @ s/t
68 Horgan,John Iverk Produce Carrick Wheelers 3h32'34" @ s/t
69 O'Shea,John Iverk Produce Carrick Wheelers 3h32'34" @ s/t
70 Cunningham,Derek Bray Wheelers 3h32'34" @ s/t
71 Finnegan,Derek Curran Racing 3h32'34" @ s/t
72 Whiting,Daniel Orwell Wheelers 3h32'34" @ s/t
73 Robinson,Colin Stamullen 3h32'34" @ s/t
74 Mulligan,Paul Eurocycles 3h32'43" @11'53"
75 Dunlop,Raymond Lakeland Cycling Club 3h32'43" @ s/t
76 Connolly,Enda Garda Cycling Club 3h36'44" @15'54"
77 McAllister,Stevie Clann Eireann 3h48'58" @28'08"
78 O'Brien,Patrick Orwell Wheelers 3h48'58" @ s/t
79 livsey,Aaron Ellan Vannin 3h48'58" @ s/t
80 McGreevy,Sean Newry Wheelers 3h48'58" @ s/t
81 Flannagan,Michael Western Lakes CC 3h48'58" @ s/t
82 Collis,Con UCD 3h48'58" @ s/t
83 McCabe,Will Eurocycles 3h48'58" @ s/t
84 Mortimer,Darragh Cuchulainn Cycling Club 3h48'58" @ s/t
85 Quinn,Colm Cuchulainn Cycling Club 3h48'58" @ s/t
86 McKinney,Bryan Duffin Transport 3h48'58" @ s/t
87 McKinley,Drew Newry Wheelers 3h48'58" @ s/t
88 Coughlan,Dave Orwell Wheelers 3h57'09" @36'19"
89 Holian,Barry Western Lakes CC 3h57'09" @ s/t
90 Clifford,Daniel DID Dunboyne CC 3h57'09" @ s/t
91 O'Reilly,Michael CRP Dan Morrissey 4h05'05" @44'15"
Did Not Finish: 7-Twomey.B, 23-Williams.P, 70-Lavery.P, 82-Bucke.K, 84-Lyons.J, 102-Flaherty.J
Primes
KOM Category 1: at 27.4 miles
1 Rodgers,R 8pts
2 Armstrong,A 6pts
3 Duncan,F 4pts
4 Roche,A 2pts
5 Bell,D 1pt
KOH Category 3: at 34.8 miles
1 Armstrong,A 3pts
2 Rodgers,R 2pts
3 Sherlock,R 1pt
KOM Category 1: at 49.6 miles
1 Armstrong,A 8pts
2 Rodgers,R 6pts
3 Roche,A 4pts
4 Sherlock,R 2pts
5 Moss,J 1pt
KOH Category 3: at 73.5 miles
1 Higgins,M 3pts
2 Armstrong,A 2pts
3 Roche,A 1pt
KOH Category 3: at 81.2 miles
1 Higgins,M 3pts
2 Armstrong,A 2pts
3 Walsh,A 1pt
General Classification
1 Amstrong,Adam A1 Eurocycles 3h20'50"
2 Moss,James A1 Node 4 Giordana 3h20'50" = s/t
3 Baxter,Elliot A1 Ellan Vannin 3h20'57" @07"
4 Higgins,Matt A2 Node 4 Giordana 3h20'57" = s/t
5 Rodgers,Ricco A1 Node 4 Giordana 3h20'57" = s/t
6 Martin,Thomas A1 Eurocycles 3h21'00" @10"
7 Sherlock,Ryan A1 Iverk Produce Carrick Wheelers 3h21'00" = s/t
8 Swinand,Greg A1 Usher IRC 3h21'00" = s/t
9 Murphy,Conor A1 Eurocycles 3h21'00" = s/t
10 Roche,Andrew A1 Ellan Vannin 3h21'00" = s/t
11 Bell,Darren A1 Ellan Vannin 3h22'02" @01'12"
12 Mullan,Ryan A1 Irish Development Team 3h22'14" @01'24"
13 Walsh,Antony A1 UCD 3h22'30" @01'40"
14 Dunlop,Dane A1 Lakeland Cycling Club 3h23'40" @02'50"
15 Barry,Michael A1 Cuchulainn Cycling Club 3h26'55" @06'05"
16 Ryder,Mike A2 Galway Bay CC 3h27'00" @06'10"
17 Houston,Kyle A1 Chain Reaction Cycles / Vitus 3h27'02" @06'12"
18 Clarke,Patrick A1 Terra Footwear - Bicycle Line 3h28'04" @07'14"
19 McDonald,Damien A2 Team Vision Racing 3h28'46" @07'56"
20 Reilly,Chris A2 Bohermeen CC 3h28'46" = s/t
21 Cassidy,Colm A1 UCD 3h28'47" @07'57"
22 Clarke,Ciaran A2 Castlebar CC 3h28'47" = s/t
23 McAllister,Conor A1 Chain Reaction Cycles / Vitus 3h28'47" = s/t
24 Manusa,Art A2 South Dublin Cycling Club 3h28'47" = s/t
25 Meehan,Aidan A1 DID Dunboyne CC 3h28'47" = s/t
26 Devlin,Rory A1 Northpole Cycling Club 3h28'47" = s/t
27 Coyle,Chris A1 Castlebar CC 3h28'47" = s/t
28 Considine,Eoghan A2 Black Rose Racing 3h28'47" = s/t
29 Clifford,Eoghan A1 Galway Bay CC 3h28'47" = s/t
30 McAllister,Leo A1 Chain Reaction Cycles / Vitus 3h28'47" = s/t
31 McMaster,James A1 Curran Racing 3h28'47" = s/t
32 Heverin,John A1 Clann Eireann 3h28'47" = s/t
33 Mason,John A2 DID Dunboyne CC 3h28'47" = s/t
34 O'Shanghnessy,Ray A1 Cuchulainn Cycling Club 3h28'47" = s/t
35 Brennan,David A1 Castlebar CC 3h28'47" = s/t
36 O'Sullivan,Stephen A1 DID Dunboyne CC 3h28'47" = s/t
37 Duncan,Frazer A1 Eurocycles 3h28'57" @08'07"
38 Richardson,Ian A2 UCD 3h29'10" @08'20"
39 Crowley,A A1 DID Dunboyne CC 3h32'00" @11'10"
40 Laverty,Colm A2 Stamullen 3h32'05" @11'15"
41 Joyce,Derek A1 Galway Bay CC 3h32'05" = s/t
42 McGlynn,Noel A2 UCD 3h32'05" = s/t
43 Javan,Nulty A1 DID Dunboyne CC 3h32'05" = s/t
44 Madden,John A1 Curran Racing 3h32'05" = s/t
45 McKnight,David A2 Team Vision Racing 3h32'05" = s/t
46 McCarthy,Eoin A1 Irish Development Team 3h32'27" @11'37"
47 Rigley,Sean A3 Irish Development Team 3h32'31" @11'41"
48 Walls,Keith A2 DID Dunboyne CC 3h32'34" @11'44"
49 Stewart,Daniel A1 Irish Development Team 3h32'34" = s/t
50 Hutchinson,Stephen A2 East Tyrone 3h32'34" = s/t
51 Black,Tom A1 Ellan Vannin 3h32'34" = s/t
52 Lagan,Damian A1 Northpole Cycling Club 3h32'34" = s/t
53 Connors,Odhran A1 Orwell Wheelers 3h32'34" = s/t
54 Sweetman,Craig A1 Stamullen 3h32'34" = s/t
55 Clancy,Stephen A1 Irish Development Team 3h32'34" = s/t
56 McCorry,Myles A2 Cuchulainn Cycling Club 3h32'34" = s/t
57 Steele,Alastair A1 Spires Cycling Club 3h32'34" = s/t
58 Harrington,Donal A3 Western Lakes CC 3h32'34" = s/t
59 Lucey,Michael A2 Iverk Produce Carrick Wheelers 3h32'34" = s/t
60 McMahon,Hugh A3 DID Dunboyne CC 3h32'34" = s/t
61 Collins,Aidan A1 Orwell Wheelers 3h32'34" = s/t
62 O'Connor,Frank A2 Stamullen 3h32'34" = s/t
63 Halpin,Stephen A1 Iverk Produce Carrick Wheelers 3h32'34" = s/t
64 Marrey,Padraig A1 Western Lakes CC 3h32'34" = s/t
65 Moriarty,Eugene A1 DID Dunboyne CC 3h32'34" = s/t
66 Bann-Lavery,John A3 Clann Eireann 3h32'34" = s/t
67 O'Mhuire,Fiachra A1 DID Dunboyne CC 3h32'34" = s/t
68 Horgan,John A2 Iverk Produce Carrick Wheelers 3h32'34" = s/t
69 O'Shea,John A2 Iverk Produce Carrick Wheelers 3h32'34" = s/t
70 Cunningham,Derek A1 Bray Wheelers 3h32'34" = s/t
71 Finnegan,Derek A1 Curran Racing 3h32'34" = s/t
72 Whiting,Daniel A1 Orwell Wheelers 3h32'34" = s/t
73 Robinson,Colin A1 Stamullen 3h32'34" = s/t
74 Mulligan,Paul A1 Eurocycles 3h32'43" @11'53"
75 Dunlop,Raymond A2 Lakeland Cycling Club 3h32'43" = s/t
76 Connolly,Enda A2 Garda Cycling Club 3h36'44" @15'54"
77 McAllister,Stevie A1 Clann Eireann 3h48'58" @28'08"
78 O'Brien,Patrick A1 Orwell Wheelers 3h48'58" = s/t
79 livsey,Aaron A1 Ellan Vannin 3h48'58" = s/t
80 McGreevy,Sean A2 Newry Wheelers 3h48'58" = s/t
81 Flannagan,Michael A1 Western Lakes CC 3h48'58" = s/t
82 Collis,Con A2 UCD 3h48'58" = s/t
83 McCabe,Will A2 Eurocycles 3h48'58" = s/t
84 Mortimer,Darragh A1 Cuchulainn Cycling Club 3h48'58" = s/t
85 Quinn,Colm A1 Cuchulainn Cycling Club 3h48'58" = s/t
86 McKinney,Bryan A1 Duffin Transport 3h48'58" = s/t
87 McKinley,Drew A1 Newry Wheelers 3h48'58" = s/t
88 Coughlan,Dave A2 Orwell Wheelers 3h57'09" @36'19"
89 Holian,Barry A2 Western Lakes CC 3h57'09" = s/t
90 Clifford,Daniel A1 DID Dunboyne CC 3h57'09" = s/t
91 O'Reilly,Michael A1 CRP Dan Morrissey 4h05'05" @44'15"
KOH Classification
1 Armstrong,A 21
2 Rodgers,R 16
3 Roche,A 7
4 Higgins,M 6
5 Duncan,F 4
6 Sherlock,R 3
7 Moss,J 1
8 Bell,D 1
9 Walsh,A 1
Stage four leaves from Dungannon Rugby Club on Monday, the 7th May 2012 at 9.45am. The stage starts at the Cohannon Inn, off the Tamnamore roundabout and will proceed for eleven laps of a 6.7 mile figure of eight circuit, finishing on the Killyman Road at approximately 1pm.
