The Tour of Ulster started this year in Banbridge and a group of 20 riders moved clear after 15 miles covered and over the second KOH had a lead of 30 seconds. The race averaged 30mph for the first hour. The 20 leaders were Conor Hennebry (Dan Morrissey-MIG.ie-Pactimo), James Curry (Dan Morrissey-MIG.ie-Pactimo), Sean Hahessy (Dan Morrissey-MIG.ie-Pactimo), David Montgomery (Banbridge Composite), Mark Dowling (Cycling Leinster), Fintan Ryan (Cycling Leinster), JB Murphy (Cycling Leinster), Matthew Clarke (Foran), Gareth O’Neill (Newry Wheelers CC), Donal Shearer (Phoenix CC), Jody Wright (Phoenix CC), Lindsay Watson (Powerhouse Sport), Jonathan Bourne (Pro Vision Race Team UK ), Liam Curley (STRATA3/VeloRevolution Racing Team), John Buller (Team Bioracer-DHL-FR Services), Conor McCann (Team Bioracer-DHL-FR Services), Darnell Moore (Team Caldwell Cycles), James Jobber (Team Upshift Velo), David Watson (The Bike House CC) & Bram Nelck (Westland Wil Vooruit).
By the time the race reached the third KOH of the day, with 31 miles covered, the 20 leaders had a 2 minute lead.
The main field then stopped riding and within the next 10 miles they were over 4 minutes down and out of the race.
Conor Hennebry (Dan Morrissey-MIG.ie-Pactimo) attacked from the lead group with 30 miles remaining and built up a maximum lead of 55 seconds.
He was joined by Fintan Ryan (Cycling Leinster), Matthew Clarke (Foran), Lindsay Watson (Powerhouse Sport) & James Jobber (Team Upshift Velo) after the final KOH and they stayed together until the finish with Fintan Ryan (Cycling Leinster) winning the sprint.
The leader of the King of the Hills competition after day 1 is Lindsay Watson (Powerhouse Sport).
The stage tomorrow starts at Banbridge RFC, Banbridge (09.45 am) and finishing at Newry Road, Banbridge (1.30pm), and with the race going through the Mournes this 95.8 mile stage is another tough stage with 7 climbs on route.
| Stage 1 Result – Banbridge – Banbridge (89.5 miles) |
Place Name Team
1 Ryan, Fintan Cycling Leinster
2 Watson, Lindsay Powerhouse Sport
3 Jobber, James Team Upshift Velo
4 Hennebry, Conor Dan Morrissey-MIG.ie-Pactimo
5 Clarke, Matthew Foran
Mountains Competition
Place Name Points
1 Watson, Lindsay 57
2 Moore, Darnell 41
3 Montgomery, David 30
4 Shearer, Donal 20
5 Hennebry, Conor 15
