Felix English enjoyed his win in Boroughshane on ‘P&O ToN’ (Photo: Darren Crawford)
Irish international Felix English used his track and sprinting smarts to good effect on today’s final stage of the ‘P&O Ferries Tour of the North’, jumping into the last corner and gaining a gap that proved decisive.
The Rapha Condor-Sharp rider had just one second to spare on the charging lead group as he crossed the line arms aloft enjoying his first road race win of the year.
Today’s final stage was an undulating but fast affair, with the 70 miles run off at an average of 26.5mph. With action from the gun, many riders worn out from the three stages already in their legs got shelled out in the opening miles.
A breakaway moved clear on the climb of Shane’s Hill and remained out front for most of the race. It contained the yellow jersey of James Moss (NODE4 Giordana) and fourth place on GC Peter Hawkins (IG Sigma Sport). The latter didn’t waste his time up front, collecting maximum points on two of the day’s three climbs and taking the climbers’ classification jersey from David McCann (RTS Racing) in the process.
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However, the escape of eleven riders never really looked like pulling out a stage-winning gap and up the final climb at Glenarriff it was McCann who dragged what was left of a greatly reduced ‘peloton’ up to the leaders.
With just 13 miles remaining from the top of the final climb, the action didn’t stop on the run-in with attack following attack as those in the group tried to get away to take the stage or put Moss’s GC lead under pressure.
Those efforts came to nothing and it was a group of 22 strongmen that arrived at the finish together for the final gallop. However, English had other ideas and when he got the jump into the last corner he ripped it up all the way to the line with a few lengths to spare for a great win.
In the sprint from the group just behind him, Jack Cutsforth (Herbalife-Leisure Lakes Bikes) emerged quickest to grab second place while Friday’s prologue TT winner Frank Niewold (SWABO-Holland) took third.
Moss took the overall win, with yesterday’s stage winner Michael Nicolson (Scotland U23) moving up one place today to second on GC. The final place on the podium was taken by Moss’s NODE4 Giordana team mate Matt Higgins.
NODE 4 also won the team prize and while Hawkins won the climbers’ jersey, Luke Grivell Mellor (Rapha Condor-Sharp) took the U23 classification, with English second in that.
The big loser this weekend was arguably David McCann. He looked like the strongest rider in the race at many of the toughest points but missed the winning move yesterday. However, all the signs are that his form is well on track to have a very good An Post Ras, now just six weeks away.
Peter Hawkins’ early season form has definitely not deserted him. Having taken a stage win over the weekend and come away with the climbers’ prize, he looks to be getting stronger every week and looks set for a really good An Post Ras.
Felix English was delighted with his win today and rode well in recent days. He was fourth in the prologue TT and while he got up the road in the early move the following day, he paid for his efforts and lost time as the breakaway split. His win today shows his form is clearly good just one week away from his first U23 Nations Cup assignment with the Irish team in Holland.
Also showing some strong form this weekend were: first year senior Jack Wilson who was home from Belgium and competing with East Antrim Audi, Conor McAllister (ChainReactionCycles-Vitus), Mark Buchanan (Donegal Four Masters) and David Wherity (Stamullen M Donnelly). All were in the lead group today on a stage when the strong international field split to pieces.
Race director Anthony Mitchell said he was delighted with how the event had unfolded, describing the 2012 edition as “a cracking Easter classic”.
See full results after the photos below.
All photos courtesy Darren Crawford
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Stage Results
PL No. Name TM Team Time @
1 93 English,Felix Rapha Condor Sharp 2h38'03"
2 19 Cutsforth,Jack Herbalife-Leisure Lakes Bikes 2h38'04" @01"
3 74 Niewold,Frank SWABO Cycling Team 2h38'04" @ s/t
4 88 Hawkins,Peter IM Sigma Sport 2h38'04" @ s/t
5 77 Gerts,Floris SWABO Cycling Team 2h38'04" @ s/t
6 75 Van der Niet,Rob SWABO Cycling Team 2h38'04" @ s/t
7 1 Williams,Simon Team Curran Racing 2h38'04" @ s/t
8 14 Higgins,Matt Node4-Giordana 2h38'04" @ s/t
9 15 Moss,James Node4-Giordana 2h38'04" @ s/t
10 97 Wilson,Jack East Antrim CC-Agnew Audi 2h38'04" @ s/t
11 28 Nicholson,Michael Scotland Under 23 2h38'04" @ s/t
12 16 Sampson,James Node4-Giordana 2h38'04" @ s/t
13 92 Grivell-Mellor,Luke Rapha Condor Sharp 2h38'04" @ s/t
14 106 McCann,David RTS 2h38'04" @ s/t
15 63 McAllister,Conor Chain Reaction Cycles-Vitus 2h38'04" @ s/t
16 13 Frend,Keiran Node4-Giordana 2h38'04" @ s/t
17 20 Baxter,Simon Herbalife-Leisure Lakes Bikes 2h38'04" @ s/t
18 7 Buchanan,Mark Donegal Four Masters 2h38'04" @ s/t
19 104 Drake,Giles Team Elite 2h38'04" @ s/t
20 35 Wherity,David Stamullen-M Donnelly FastShip 2h38'10" @07"
21 29 Wardell,Rab Scotland Under 23 2h38'12" @09"
22 76 Rietrboek,Jesper SWABO Cycling Team 2h40'37" @02'34"
23 21 Bustard,Tommy Herbalife-Leisure Lakes Bikes 2h41'07" @03'04"
24 94 Cranston,Gary East Antrim CC-Agnew Audi 2h41'07" @ s/t
25 59 Been,Wouter WTOS Delft. Holland 2h41'36" @03'33"
26 72 Addis,Eddy VC Ecosse 2h41'36" @ s/t
27 26 McDonald,Richard Dooleys Cycles.co.uk 2h41'36" @ s/t
28 87 Pilkington,Matt Team Bglobal 2h41'36" @ s/t
29 30 Johnstone,Taylor Scotland Under 23 2h41'36" @ s/t
30 83 Finnegan,Derek West Pennine Road Club 2h41'36" @ s/t
31 17 Hawdon,Andrew Herbalife-Leisure Lakes Bikes 2h41'40" @03'37"
32 62 McAllister,Leo Chain Reaction Cycles-Vitus 2h44'49" @06'46"
33 61 Middendorp,Jelle WTOS Delft. Holland 2h44'49" @ s/t
34 85 Sherriffs,Chris Team Bglobal 2h44'49" @ s/t
35 5 Madden,John Team Curran Racing 2h51'24" @13'21"
36 78 Buskermolen,Jordy SWABO Cycling Team 2h54'35" @16'32"
37 57 Koop,Jos WTOS Delft. Holland 2h54'35" @ s/t
38 42 Wilson,Peter Cycling Ulster-Slane Cycles 2h54'35" @ s/t
39 86 Dean,Ben Team Bglobal 2h54'35" @ s/t
40 100 Bethell,Paul Team Elite 2h54'35" @ s/t
41 18 Bott,Richard Herbalife-Leisure Lakes Bikes 2h54'35" @ s/t
42 32 Sweetman,Craig Stamullen-M Donnelly FastShip 2h54'35" @ s/t
43 31 Barrett,Jack Scotland Under 23 2h54'35" @ s/t
44 68 Jeffries,Owen VC Ecosse 2h54'35" @ s/t
45 43 Devlin,Rory Cycling Ulster-Slane Cycles 2h54'35" @ s/t
46 84 Battersby,Craig Team Bglobal 2h54'35" @ s/t
47 73 Foppen,Tim SWABO Cycling Team 2h54'35" @ s/t
48 25 Semple,Rich Dooleys Cycles.co.uk 2h54'35" @ s/t
49 55 Beattie,Chris Ballymena Road Club 2h54'35" @ s/t
50 10 Stewart,Sean Donegal Four Masters 2h54'35" @ s/t
51 9 McCafferty,Pauric Donegal Four Masters 2h54'35" @ s/t
52 70 Whitehall,Andrew VC Ecosse 2h54'35" @ s/t
53 80 Harrison,Mike West Pennine Road Club 2h54'35" @ s/t
54 69 Oliphant,Lewis VC Ecosse 2h54'35" @ s/t
55 46 Smyth,Cathal Phoenix CC 2h54'35" @ s/t
56 47 Featherstone,Sean Phoenix CC 2h54'35" @ s/t
57 81 Gott,Andy West Pennine Road Club 2h54'35" @ s/t
58 60 Borst,Rene WTOS Delft. Holland 2h54'35" @ s/t
59 52 Taggart,Simon Ballymena Road Club 2h54'35" @ s/t
60 34 Laverty,Colm Stamullen-M Donnelly FastShip 2h54'35" @ s/t
61 48 Meenan,Chris Phoenix CC 2h54'35" @ s/t
62 101 Fidler,Steve Team Elite 2h54'35" @ s/t
63 44 Foley,Desi Phoenix CC 2h54'35" @ s/t
64 49 McWilliams,Stephen Phoenix CC 2h54'35" @ s/t
65 37 O`Connor,Frank Stamullen-M Donnelly FastShip 2h54'35" @ s/t
66 33 Robinson,Colin Stamullen-M Donnelly FastShip 2h54'35" @ s/t
67 3 Duncan,Fraser Team Curran Racing 2h54'50" @16'47"
68 41 Stewart,Daniel Cycling Ulster-Slane Cycles 3h01'47" @23'44"
69 65 Henry,Jason Chain Reaction Cycles-Vitus 3h05'18" @27'15"
70 66 McKee,Gareth Chain Reaction Cycles-Vitus 3h05'18" @ s/t
71 102 Wilbraham,Pete Team Elite 3h14'26" @36'23"
72 58 Jansen,Luuk WTOS Delft. Holland 3h14'26" @ s/t
73 64 Houston,Kyle Chain Reaction Cycles-Vitus 3h17'57" @39'54"
Primes
KOM Category 2: Shanes Hill
1 88 Hawkins,P 4pts
2 13 Frend,K 2pts
3 15 Moss,J 1pt
KOM Category 2: Munie Road
1 88 Hawkins,P 4pts
2 13 Frend,K 2pts
3 15 Moss,J 1pt
KOM Category 1: Glenariff
1 29 Wardell,R 6pts
General Classification
PL No. STG Time/Pl Name TM Team GC Time @
1 15 2h38'04"/9 Moss,James Node4-Giordana 8h04'17"
2 28 2h38'04"/11 Nicholson,Michael Scotland Under 23 8h04'35" @18"
3 14 2h38'04"/8 Higgins,Matt Node4-Giordana 8h04'54" @37"
4 88 2h38'04"/4 Hawkins,Peter IM Sigma Sport 8h04'54" = s/t
5 13 2h38'04"/16 Frend,Keiran Node4-Giordana 8h04'55" @38"
6 106 2h38'04"/14 McCann,David RTS 8h04'57" @40"
7 20 2h38'04"/17 Baxter,Simon Herbalife-Leisure Lakes Bikes 8h06'18" @02'01"
8 16 2h38'04"/12 Sampson,James Node4-Giordana 8h06'18" = s/t
9 104 2h38'04"/19 Drake,Giles Team Elite 8h06'35" @02'18"
10 92 2h38'04"/13 Grivell-Mellor,Luke Rapha Condor Sharp 8h06'39" @02'22"
11 63 2h38'04"/15 McAllister,Conor Chain Reaction Cycles-Vitus 8h06'40" @02'23"
12 29 2h38'12"/21 Wardell,Rab Scotland Under 23 8h06'47" @02'30"
13 21 2h41'07"/23 Bustard,Tommy Herbalife-Leisure Lakes Bikes 8h07'33" @03'16"
14 17 2h41'40"/31 Hawdon,Andrew Herbalife-Leisure Lakes Bikes 8h10'08" @05'51"
15 93 2h38'03"/1 English,Felix Rapha Condor Sharp 8h10'13" @05'56"
16 74 2h38'04"/3 Niewold,Frank SWABO Cycling Team 8h10'53" @06'36"
17 7 2h38'04"/18 Buchanan,Mark Donegal Four Masters 8h11'03" @06'46"
18 77 2h38'04"/5 Gerts,Floris SWABO Cycling Team 8h11'05" @06'48"
19 97 2h38'04"/10 Wilson,Jack East Antrim CC-Agnew Audi 8h11'16" @06'59"
20 1 2h38'04"/7 Williams,Simon Team Curran Racing 8h11'20" @07'03"
21 19 2h38'04"/2 Cutsforth,Jack Herbalife-Leisure Lakes Bikes 8h11'21" @07'04"
22 75 2h38'04"/6 Van der Niet,Rob SWABO Cycling Team 8h12'19" @08'02"
23 76 2h40'37"/22 Rietrboek,Jesper SWABO Cycling Team 8h13'43" @09'26"
24 94 2h41'07"/24 Cranston,Gary East Antrim CC-Agnew Audi 8h14'20" @10'03"
25 26 2h41'36"/27 McDonald,Richard Dooleys Cycles.co.uk 8h14'44" @10'27"
26 30 2h41'36"/29 Johnstone,Taylor Scotland Under 23 8h14'46" @10'29"
27 83 2h41'36"/30 Finnegan,Derek West Pennine Road Club 8h15'00" @10'43"
28 72 2h41'36"/26 Addis,Eddy VC Ecosse 8h15'19" @11'02"
29 35 2h38'10"/20 Wherity,David Stamullen-M Donnelly Fast 8h16'10" @11'53"
30 59 2h41'36"/25 Been,Wouter WTOS Delft. Holland 8h16'10" = s/t
31 85 2h44'49"/34 Sherriffs,Chris Team Bglobal 8h21'29" @17'12"
32 62 2h44'49"/32 McAllister,Leo Chain Reaction Cycles-Vitus 8h22'24" @18'07"
33 3 2h54'50"/67 Duncan,Fraser Team Curran Racing 8h23'23" @19'06"
34 61 2h44'49"/33 Middendorp,Jelle WTOS Delft. Holland 8h24'39" @20'22"
35 78 2h54'35"/36 Buskermolen,Jordy SWABO Cycling Team 8h26'55" @22'38"
36 57 2h54'35"/37 Koop,Jos WTOS Delft. Holland 8h27'41" @23'24"
37 32 2h54'35"/42 Sweetman,Craig Stamullen-M Donnelly Fast 8h27'45" @23'28"
38 46 2h54'35"/55 Smyth,Cathal Phoenix CC 8h27'54" @23'37"
39 80 2h54'35"/53 Harrison,Mike West Pennine Road Club 8h30'11" @25'54"
40 5 2h51'24"/35 Madden,John Team Curran Racing 8h30'24" @26'07"
41 70 2h54'35"/52 Whitehall,Andrew VC Ecosse 8h31'13" @26'56"
42 10 2h54'35"/50 Stewart,Sean Donegal Four Masters 8h32'22" @28'05"
43 87 2h41'36"/28 Pilkington,Matt Team Bglobal 8h32'35" @28'18"
44 100 2h54'35"/40 Bethell,Paul Team Elite 8h33'01" @28'44"
45 81 2h54'35"/57 Gott,Andy West Pennine Road Club 8h33'25" @29'08"
46 60 2h54'35"/58 Borst,Rene WTOS Delft. Holland 8h33'31" @29'14"
47 43 2h54'35"/45 Devlin,Rory Cycling Ulster-Slane Cycles 8h33'51" @29'34"
48 69 2h54'35"/54 Oliphant,Lewis VC Ecosse 8h33'55" @29'38"
49 25 2h54'35"/48 Semple,Rich Dooleys Cycles.co.uk 8h33'59" @29'42"
50 101 2h54'35"/62 Fidler,Steve Team Elite 8h34'03" @29'46"
51 55 2h54'35"/49 Beattie,Chris Ballymena Road Club 8h34'03" = s/t
52 42 2h54'35"/38 Wilson,Peter Cycling Ulster-Slane Cycles 8h34'07" @29'50"
53 68 2h54'35"/44 Jeffries,Owen VC Ecosse 8h34'10" @29'53"
54 52 2h54'35"/59 Taggart,Simon Ballymena Road Club 8h34'10" = s/t
55 34 2h54'35"/60 Laverty,Colm Stamullen-M Donnelly Fast 8h34'11" @29'54"
56 73 2h54'35"/47 Foppen,Tim SWABO Cycling Team 8h34'12" @29'55"
57 47 2h54'35"/56 Featherstone,Sean Phoenix CC 8h34'14" @29'57"
58 48 2h54'35"/61 Meenan,Chris Phoenix CC 8h34'19" @30'02"
59 9 2h54'35"/51 McCafferty,Pauric Donegal Four Masters 8h34'20" @30'03"
60 37 2h54'35"/65 O`Connor,Frank Stamullen-M Donnelly Fast 8h34'24" @30'07"
61 31 2h54'35"/43 Barrett,Jack Scotland Under 23 8h34'24" = s/t
62 86 2h54'35"/39 Dean,Ben Team Bglobal 8h35'46" @31'29"
63 84 2h54'35"/46 Battersby,Craig Team Bglobal 8h36'21" @32'04"
64 41 3h01'47"/68 Stewart,Daniel Cycling Ulster-Slane Cycles 8h41'10" @36'53"
65 65 3h05'18"/69 Henry,Jason Chain Reaction Cycles-Vitus 8h43'37" @39'20"
66 66 3h05'18"/70 McKee,Gareth Chain Reaction Cycles-Vitus 8h44'04" @39'47"
67 49 2h54'35"/64 McWilliams,Stephen Phoenix CC 8h51'47" @47'30"
68 18 2h54'35"/41 Bott,Richard Herbalife-Leisure Lakes Bikes 8h52'34" @48'17"
69 58 3h14'26"/72 Jansen,Luuk WTOS Delft. Holland 8h54'07" @49'50"
70 64 3h17'57"/73 Houston,Kyle Chain Reaction Cycles-Vitus 8h57'34" @53'17"
71 44 2h54'35"/63 Foley,Desi Phoenix CC 9h08'19" @1h04'02"
72 102 3h14'26"/71 Wilbraham,Pete Team Elite 9h08'44" @1h04'27"
73 33 2h54'35"/66 Robinson,Colin Stamullen-M Donnelly Fast 9h46'26" @1h42'09"
Under 23 Rider Overall
PL No. Name TM Time
1 92 Grivell-Mellor,L = 8h06'39"
2 93 English,F @ 03'34"
3 77 Gerts,F @ 04'26"
4 97 Wilson,J @ 04'37"
5 76 Rietrboek,J @ 07'04"
6 30 Johnstone,T @ 08'07"
7 85 Sherriffs,C @ 14'50"
8 62 McAllister,L @ 15'45"
9 78 Buskermolen,J @ 20'16"
10 42 Wilson,P @ 27'28"
11 73 Foppen,T @ 27'33"
12 9 McCafferty,P @ 27'41"
13 31 Barrett,J @ 27'45"
14 41 Stewart,D @ 34'31"
15 58 Jansen,L @ 47'28"
AA King of the Hills
1 88 Hawkins,P 14
2 13 Frend,K 10
3 106 McCann,D 10
4 15 Moss,J 9
5 29 Wardell,R 6
6 63 McAllister,C 4
7 85 Sherriffs,C 3
8 14 Higgins,M 2
9 21 Bustard,T 2
10 78 Buskermolen,J 2
11 93 English,F 1
Team General Classification
1 Node4-Giordana 24h14'06"
2 Herbalife-Leisure Lakes Bikes @ 06'01"
3 Scotland Under 23 @ 12'02"
4 SWABO Cycling Team @ 18'11"
5 WTOS Delft. Holland @ 49'14"
6 Team Curran Racing @ 50'55"
7 Chain Reaction Cycles-Vitus @ 58'31"
8 Team Elite @ 59'10"
9 Donegal Four Masters @ 1h03'32"
10 Stamullen-M Donnelly FastShip @ 1h04'00"
11 West Pennine Road Club @ 1h04'17"
12 Team Bglobal @ 1h05'56"
13 VC Ecosse @ 1h06'14"
14 Phoenix CC @ 1h21'53"
15 Cycling Ulster-Slane Cycles @ 1h34'44"
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