P&O Irish Sea Tour of the North - NE

Ireland, April 9-13, 2004

Main Page Results Previous Stage Next Stage

Stage 4 - April 11: Bangor RR, 49 miles

Murphy solos to win in Bangor

By Anthony Mitchell

Breaking away in the closing miles from an original group of 10 who held a lead for most of the stage, Connor Murphy (North Monaghan-Crannog Ireland) took a solo victory back in Bangor following a 49 mile loop around the Ards Peninsula this afternoon.

Of the 10 who escaped shortly after Newtownards with six miles covered, Murphy was the best placed overall in 24th place, however his defecit was over nine minutes, so the main players in the race were happy to let these 10 have their day at the head of affairs.

By the halfway mark at Portaferry their lead had stretchd to an impressive 2 minutes 45 seconds, and by Ballyhalbert with 17 miles remaining that had went out to four minutes.

On the run in to the finish over the closing 15 miles the bunch finally reacted to pull that advantage back to a shade over 2 minutes.

Murphy decided on a bid for solo glory after Donaghadee with six miles to go, and came home with 26 seconds to spare over Castlereaghs Ian Proctor. Murphys team mate Paul Mulligan was third across the line to make it a good day all round for the Irish squad.

Willie Hamilton (East Antrim-Audi) 11th overall led the main bunch home two minutes later. Consequently there are no major changes in the overall, with Connor having the advantage of home terrain tomorrow when the race reaches its penultimate stage, the longest at 76 miles based in Ballymena.

Results

1 Connor Murphy (North Monaghan)                     1.50.10
2 Ian Proctor (Castlereagh CC)                          0.26
3 Paul Mulligan (North Monaghan)                        0.29
4 Ger Heveron (Castlereagh CC)
5 Matt Ward (Phoenix CC)
6 Mark Greer (Slane-Maryland)
7 Nick Kenwright (Energycycles RT)                      0.39
8 Paul Harte (Phoenix CC)                               1.07
9 Paul Kane (Northern -Dave Kane)                       1.09
10 Ross Blayney (Ards CC)                               1.27
 
General classification after stage 4
 
1 Tommy Evans                                        4.41.43
2 R Connor                                              0.18
3 G Rose                                                0.20
4 J Dempsey                                             0.26
5 M Hutchinson                                          0.42
6 B Doherty                                             0.44
7 M Harrison                                            0.52
8 B Morrow                                              0.58
9 C Birch
10 G Jones                                              1.02