Cycling Events 2000

Tour of Ulster  Dates: 29th April - 1st May 2000

REPORTS  Cian Lynch's Riders Race Report Here >>
Results supplied by Séamus Shortall © Rapid Results

Stage 4 Report: Philip Cassidy added the Tour of Ulster to this season's list of successes, when he took the lead in today's time trial and then held on to secure overall victory.  Cassidy finished safely in the bunch on this afternoon's 50 mile circuit race, finishing in the same time as stage winner Colm Bracken, but crucially also crossing the line in the company of main rival Tommy Evans.  This marks Cassidy s eighth success of the season, and follows a commanding win in the Tour of the North last weekend.   It also cements standing as favourite for this month's FBD Milk Ras.   
(Confirmed Results Monaghan - Monaghan, May 1) Race Dist: 79.11 kms / 49.19 Mile Total Dist: 338.00 kms / 210.19 miles Speed: 41.21 kph / 25.63 mph Average: 39.51 kph / 24.57 mph Number of Starters: 64 Number of Finishers: 59 Did Not Finish: 5 Results:  1 Bracken,Colm Usher Insulation IRC 1h55'11", 2 Crowley,Aidan Swords McNally same, 3 Bann-Lavery,John Ulster Cycling Federa same, 4 Moriarty,Eugene Stamullen Road Club same, 5 Evans,Tommy Clarke Contracts Niss same  FINAL GC: 1 Cassidy,Philip Avonmore Navan C 8h34'10", 2 Evans,Tommy Clarke Contracts 8h34'26" @ 16", 3 O'Sullivan,Stephen Clarke Contracts @ 49", 4 Moriarty,Patrick Les Jeunes Dubli @ 01'53", 5 Kenneally,Brian Cidona Carrick W @ 02'08".  Stage 4 results here >>

Stage 3 TT: 1 Cassidy,Philip Avonmore Navan 17'58.79", 2 Evans,Tommy Clarke Contract @ 19.43", 3 Kenneally,Brian Cidona Carrick @ 39.61", 4 Healion,Paul IRC Usher Insulatio @ 41.69", 5 O'Sullivan,Stephen Clarke Contract @ 48.58", 6 Roche,Andrew Mc Kenna Firepl @ 49.11". Stage 3 results here >> 

Stage 2: Overall leader Michael Mulcahy today conceded the yellow jersey to national champion Tommy Evans on the second stage of the Tour of Ulster.  Evans, Philip Cassidy and Stephen O'Sullivan were the strong men of the hilly 77 mile stage, finishing over one minute ahead of fourth placed rider Brian Kenneally.  Mulcahy, who won yesterday's opening leg of the three day race finished in the main bunch 1:49 seconds behind Evans and slips to 5th overall.  O'Sullivan leads the king of the mountains classification after dominating on the slopes today.
(Confirmed Results Derry - Monaghan, Apr 30) Race Dist: 124.14 kms / 77.20 Mil Total Dist: 245.39 kms / 152.60 miles Speed: 36.67 kph / 22.80 mph Average: 38.74 kph / 24.09 mph Number of Starters: 69 Number of Finishers: 65 Did Not Start: 5 Did Not Finish: 4 Results: 1 5 Evans,Tommy Clarke Contracts Niss 3h23'08", 2 13 Cassidy,Philip Avonmore Navan CC 3h23'12" @ 04", 3 8 O'Sullivan,Stephen CCN Clarke Contracts Niss same, 4 1 Kenneally,Brian Cidona Carrick Wheele 3h24'40" @ 01'32", 5 18 Moriarty,Patrick LJS Les Jeunes Dublin Ski same, Overall GC: 1 5 3h23'08" Evans,Tommy CCN Clarke Contracts 6h20'57", 2 13 3h23'12" Cassidy,Philip NVN Avonmore Navan C 6h21'01" @ 04", 3 8 3h23'12" O'Sullivan,Stephen Clarke Contracts 6h21'01" @ 04", 4 18 3h24'40" Moriarty,Patrick LJS Les Jeunes Dubli 6h21'48" @ 51", 5 39 3h24'57" Mulcahy,Michael DM Dan Morrissey 6h21'53" @ 56"  Stage 2 results here >>

Stage 1: Michael Mulcahy of the Dan Morrissey club pulled off a surprise win yesterday in the 75 mile first stage of the Tour of Ulster.  The Carlow cyclist, who upgraded to a first category only last month soloed to his biggest victory to date, finishing 12 seconds ahead of a breakaway group of 15.  Aidan Crowley outsprinted Colm Bracken for second place.  The big surprise on the stage was the time conceded by several of the pre race favourites. Philip Cassidy, Brian Kenneally and Tommy Evans all finished in the main bunch 53 seconds behind Mulcahy.
(Confirmed Results - Derry-Derry, Apr 29) Dist: 121.25 kms / 75.40 miles Speed: 41.12 kph / 25.57 mph Average: 41.12 kph / 25.57 mph Number of Starters: 82 Number of Finishers: 74 Did Not Start: 21 Did Not Finish: 8 Results: 1 39 Mulcahy,Michael Dan Morrissey 2h56'56", 2 22 Crowley,Aidan Swords McNally 2h57'08" @ 12", 3 60 Bracken,Colm Usher Insulation IRC same, 4 66 Sweetman,Craig Stamullen Road Club same, 5 31 Easton,Denis Provision/PowerBar same, 6 6 Butler,Paul Clarke Contracts Niss same, 7 73 Gallagher,Keith Ulster Cycling Federa same, 8 84 O'Brien,John Dan Morrissey B same, 9 3 O'Loughlin,Martin Cidona Carrick Wheele same, 10 81 Lennon,Brian Cahill Naas same.   Stage 1 results here >>

TOUR OF ULSTER - Pictures of Stage 4 : (by Jerome Rafferty) See them Here >>

Visit the Tour of Ulster page @ www.nireland.com/ulster-cyclingfederation

PRESS RELEASES -  See Start List Here >>

Keogh joins Cassidy and Moriarty in Tour
Thursday 27th April 2000

Eddie Keogh (Cidona Carrick Wheeler) join two other Easter Stage winners namely Philip Cassidy (Avonmore Navan RC) and Patrick Moriarty (Les Jeunes Dublin Skip) at this weekends Tour of Ulster.

Keogh, a 2nd Category rider was the surprise winner of the Dublin Skip Gorey Easter stage race when he took the laurels on Monday. However at the Munster race, Moriarty had a convincing win. 

With 106 riders now listed for the Tour, a top class field has been assembled by Race Director, pat Clarke. News came through that additions were added when the event got a boost from the Irish Cycling Federation, whose team members were listed for international duty sought entry. The race has now benefit from the inclusion of former winner Tommy Evans (Clarke Contracts Nissan) and Eugene Moriarty (Listowel CC in Kerry)

With competitors names the like of Brian Kenneally (Carrick Wheelers), Tommy Evans, Stephen O’Sullivan (Both Clarke Contracts Nissan) Andy Roche (McKenna Fireplaces, Emyvale) Philip Cassidy (Navan RC), Brendan "Bo" Graham (Provision), Michael Hamilton (Toyota North Down) and Bill Moore (Stamullen RC) a classic race is envisaged by the Race Director. His only loss this year is the absence of 1999 winner Ciaran Power now riding for the Lynda McCartney and Mark Scallon, the former World Junior RR Champion who is competing in France this year.

The race gets under way at 12.50 p.m when the Mayor Pat Ramsey, lowers the flag for the 100 plus riders, who will cover 75 miles sponsored stage by Derry City Council around the Inishowen Peninsula finishing on the Expressway at about 4 p.m.

Sunday the competitors face the toughest day of the three days when there are six climbs along the way to Monaghan some 77 miles away. The climbs on the second day are at Donemana (Cat 3 @ 9 Miles) , Plumbridge (Cat 3 @ 20 Miles), Gortin Glen (Cat 1 @ 25 miles) , McDermotts Corner (Cat 1 @ 43 miles), Sion Finn (Cat 3 @ 45.5 miles), Carnmore (Cat 1 @ 58 miles). After such climbing the survivors will have nearly 18 miles to recover for the flat run in to Monaghan at the Credit Union Office.

Unlike previous years, Pat Clarke opted for a new format conclusion by staying in Monaghan. It will host the two conclusion stages namely the Monaghan Urban District Council 8.5 mile Time Trial on the Clones Road at 8.30 a.m on May Bank Monday. It is expected her that the main battle could take place, if the competitors are not separated over the first two days of the event.

The final Neesons and Heitons sponsored Milltown Circuit race will have added interest for the town of Monaghan. It seem that history is repeating itself, when the Milltown circuit was first use by the Tour of Ulster back in the 60’s. All racing is due to finish at about 3 p.m when the final survivors cross the line after racing for 50 miles on this stage.

The victor of the Tour of Ulster will be the person who will don the Sports Council N.I Yellow Jersey and the best climber will have the honour of pulling on the Teleflorists King of the Mountain Podka Dot jersey. Other support came from Derry City Council, Derry Sports Council who have brought the event to Derry via Paddy Carr of the local Ilex Cycling Club. Not to be outdone Peadar McAdam (McKenna Fireplaces, Emyvale CC) sought support from Heitons, Neeson Bros, Credit Union, Urban District Council, who are all of Monaghan.

Tour heads to the Maiden City
Thursday 13th April 2000

Details of the 2000 Tour of Ulster promoted by the Lakeland Cycle Club of Enniskillen were release at a Press Launch and Pat Clarke (Race Director) has chosen the Maiden City of Derry for the official start. The event will be held from Saturday 29th April to Monday 1st May and covering Counties Derry, Donegal, Tyrone, Fermanagh and Monaghan.

Race Director, Pat Clarke has chosen a very interesting route for the event with the first visit ever of the Inishowen Peninsula in North West Donegal. The terrain will be very new but in the past the FBD Milk Ras is a regular visitor to the region.

News of the visit to the Maiden City was welcomed by the Mayor Pat Ramsey who stated "The City of Derry welcomes all sporting events especially this major promotion along with all the competitors and officials". On Saturday 29th April at 12.50 p.m., Mayor Pat Ramsey will lower the start flag on some 100 competitors who have come as far away as Kerry in the South of Ireland to Ballymena in the North. The competitors will face the flat route of 75 miles around the Inishowen Peninsula and is expected to finish back on the Expressway at about 4 p.m.

The riders will visit Molville (13.40 Hrs), Cleneely (13.55), Culduff (14.05), Malin (14.10), Carndonagh (14.20), Clonmany (14.40), Buncranna (15.05) Bridgend (15.25) and Derry (16.00)

Delighted also of the news that the Tour of Ulster was heading to his home town was Paddy Carr of the local Ilex Cycle Club in Derry. It was back last October that Paddy made is interest known to Race Director, Pat Clarke and thought all his pleas were lost. But some 5 weeks ago, news was given that the City of Derry was chosen for the official start.

With an overnight stay of about some 200 people involved in the Tour, it will be welcomed news to the area for Paddy Carr at the Press Launch who went on to say "The Tour of Ulster is a major promotion and I thought all was lost, but with the news of the event coming, it should boost the interest of cycling in the region".

Sunday 30th April, will be the test of the Tour when the remaining competitors face six category climbs along their way to Monaghan some 77 miles away. The first two climb, both category 3 comes at Donemana at St. Patrick’s School and Plumbridge. Then the climbing gets tougher as the competitors face climbs at Gortin Glen (Category 1), McDermott’s Corner (Category 1), Sion Finn (Category 3) and Carnmore (Category 1).

Like in 1999, the biggest crowds of the Tour should be in Monaghan, which for the first time will have the honour of having a stage finish and conclusion of the Tour of Ulster. This was brought about by the working of Paedar McAdam (Emyvale CC), who has worked with close association with local businesses namely Monaghan Co-op, Monaghan Credit Union and Monaghan County Council.

Paedar McAdam in his statement, was delighted to secure the Tour of Ulster to Monaghan, but was more please that the Race Director, Pat Clarke, took the decision to conclude the Tour in Monaghan. He Said "This is a major boost to the town of Monaghan and all stops will be made to welcome the Tour to the town". He went on to say "In the past, the Tour would have came for one night and leave the next day. I am over the moon that I have managed to secure the Tour for the conclusion".

After the overnight stay in Monaghan, Pat Clarke (Race Director), opted for the Time Trial on the Monday morning and conclude with a circuit race in the afternoon.

Places running out on Tour
9th April 2000

With now just two days left for the 2000 Tour of Ulster to be held on Saturday 29th April, places are now getting less and less. With just over 30 places now available before the door finally closes on the first 100 competitors who will gain entry into the race.

Even though the closing date was on Friday 7th April, Race Director, Pat Clarke decided to extend the closing date to this Wednesday, as riders were slow in sending in their applications, but on Friday there was an influx of entries.

Now adding his name to the list of a possible favourite is Philip Cassidy of the Avonmore Navan RC in County Meath. Cassidy has a great record in Irish cycling with one of his last notable wins being the 1999 FBD Milk Ras at the tender age of 38. The Ras win was his second after a gap of 16 years.

Cassidy, however this year has feature well this season winning the Cycleways Cup in Navan and the Tour of Ards. Is the Tour of Ulster on his list this year. Joining him on the team John Leonard, John and Paul Nolan.

As reported last week, most of the places are being taken by southern riders and Dan Morrissey have entered a strong team lead by Paul Griffin along with Kieron McMahon, William Byrne and Michael Mulcahy. Griffin is not new to the glory of the Tour of Ulster as he won the opening 81 mile stage one into Cavan town last year.

Pre race favourite Brian Kenneally (Cidona Carrick Wheelers) has what the Tour Race Director would consider to be the strongest team in the race. Joining Kenneally will be Eddie O’Donaghue, Martin O'Loughlin and former Dan Morrissey man namely Adrian Hederman. Both O’Donaghue and Hederman have been to the fore of Irish cycling over the last couple of years and should help Kenneally to secure overall win. With the strength of the team, they should also take the team prize.

Inform rider Patrick Moriarty (Dublin Skip Les Jeunes) is another fancied rider to take the honours in this event. Moriarty is a regular to the Tour of Ulster and has a stage win to his list in this event. Over the last couple of months, he has been on representative duty with the Irish team and could spoil the glory on Kenneally. Helping Moriarty this year will be John-Paul Hillard, Keith O’Sullivan and Dermot Healy.

A former stage winner is also Michael Hamilton, who heads the Toyota North Down team along with Alastair Irvine. Irvine is a former Bronze winner in the Commonwealth Games. The other two team members are Declan McMackin and Paul Ferguson.

Other teams include McKenna Fireplaces of Emyvale headed by former FBD Milk Ras winner, Andy Roche and Neil Holden. There is a composite team from Clann Eieann lead by Chris Greene and John Bann-Lavery along with Daire O’Neill and Declan McKenna. Teams are also coming from Killarney, Cork, Sligo and Belfast.

The Tour will have the Mayor of the Maiden City, Pat Ramsey dropping the flag for the competitors to face the fist stage covering 75 miles of the Inishowen Peninsula along its rolling roads. Places to be visited by the Tour will be Moville, Gleneely, Malin, Carndonagh, Ballyliffin, Buncranna and finish back opposite the City of Derry Guildhall on the Expressway at about 4 p.m.

With entries closing today Friday (7th April), the Tour of Ulster looks like its winner could come from the South of Ireland. Favourite rider to head the list is Brian Kenneally (Carrick Wheelers) from County Waterford. If this was the case, then it would the second year in a row that a County Waterford man will win the race.

This however would be on the basis that the race will go ahead. Unlike previous years, many of the riders have had to be place on reserve to entry. Race Director, Pat Clarke is concerned by the delay in riders entering and with just three weeks to go, the event could face been withdrawn from the calendar. This would be a decision that the Race Director does not want to make but for now has extended the closing date to Wednesday 12th April to accommodate the postal system.

Pat has blamed the rumours that has been circulating around about the severity of the race route. He went on to say "If these competitors have heard such rumours of the severity of the race routes, then all it takes is a phone call to me to check out the truth". He goes on to point out that the race is shorter than in previous years with two easy days of racing.

"Even with today (Friday) the last day for the entries to arrive, it is common for the competitors to wait for the last minute to enter". This year the Tour of Ulster is just one week after the Tour of the North and the two stage races in the South of Ireland and this could have deterred the competitors in entering as they have such a choice so close together.

Regular visitors since 1996 to the event have been the Lincolnshire team, but due to commitments by many of the selected riders, the team was withdrawn. However, Pat Clarke is expected to bring a former FBD Milk Ras winner to the event, namely Andy Roche (McKenna Fireplaces, Emyvale CC) who resides in the Isle of Man. Teaming up with Roche will be Rob Holdan. Holden a former professional will taste Irish cycling again after a numbers of years. One of his last appearances was in the FBD Milk Ras back in the early 90’s and is a former winner of the Tour of the North, a number of years back.

The Tour of Ulster starts in the Maiden City of Derry with the flag being dropped by the Mayor, Pat Ramsey on Saturday 29th April at 1 p.m and the first category 3 climb comes at just point six mile. After this it is 75 miles of the rolling roads of the Inishowen Peninsula. Climbs that are noted on the Inishowen are the Malin Head (Cat 1) and the Gap of Mamore (Cat 1), but Race Director wanted a packed field to sprint to the finish line on the Derry Expressway at about 4 p.m.

Sunday will see the competitors race a tougher stage with six climbs along their 77 miles route to Monaghan town. Toughest climb of the day will be the Carnmore climb, now this year tackled from the Fivemiletown direction rather than from the Clones side. Other climbs on route are the Gortin Glen and Fivemiletown/Fintona mountains. The stage is due to finish in Monaghan at about 3.10 p.m.

Monday concludes with two stages. At 8.30 a.m the first of the competitors will face the time of truth over a eight and a half mile time trial course on the Clones Road. The afternoon Monaghan will close the Tour with a 50 mile circuit race.

Those who have not got entry forms can obtain one by visiting the Tour of Ulster page at:-

Race Director Patrick N Clarke, 106 Sligo Road, Enniskillen Co Fermanagh, BT74 7JZ Ph/Fax 028 6632 7378. Mobile 077 6863 0666 

Contact: pclarke@ulster.fsnet.co.uk   Website: www.nireland.com/ulster-cyclingfederation