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Last Updated: Apr 3rd, 2008 - 22:48:12 |
Omagh Sports Forum Tour of Ulster 2008
By Paul Nugent, PR Officer
Apr 3, 2008,
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The Tour of Ulster, the premier cycle stage race in the province, will take place for a second year on Bank Holiday weekend, Saturday 3rd May - Monday 5th May 2008 in the Omagh District. The race has returned to the County town of Tyrone, Omagh , mainly due to the huge success of last years race, which was based within the wider Omagh District Council area.
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| Tour of Ulster Cycle Race. The race gets underway on bank holiday May weekend based in the Omagh area. |
On this occasion the major sponsor of the race is Omagh Sports Forum and the Forum is delighted to be involved in presenting and supporting such a prestigious Northern Ireland event. Forum Chairman, Councillor Clive McFarland said at today’s launch in Omagh Leisure Complex, “Omagh Sports Forum is proud to sponsor this year’s event again. When the Ulster Cycling Promotions Club approached us late last year, the Forum enthusiastically jumped at the chance of sponsoring the race. To see a race of this calibre being hosted and staged west of the Bann is a tremendous fillip for sport. It will attract a number of important and well known names in the world of Cycling”. He went on to say “This race will attract a lot of visitors and visiting racing teams to the Omagh district, and with the event being held over 3 days it will bring great sporting and economic benefit to the District.”
Colin Boyle, Race Organiser for the second year, spoke enthusiastically about the forthcoming event and enthused about the challenging route he had devised. “This is a good opportunity to see the exciting and sometimes spectacular sport of cycling at first hand in the local area,” he said. “I am looking forward in particular to the second stage on Sunday which will bring the competitors over four tough climbs over the Sperrins, with the final ascent of Gortin Glen, to the stage finish at Omagh Leisure Complex. Some potential Olympians will compete in this premier race.”
The 2008 event will follow the usual race format of four stages over three days, a 55 mile road stage followed by a 2.3 mile time trial on Saturday evening, a 69 mile road stage on Sunday and finally finishing with a 73 mile road stage on Monday.
The winner of last years event was Ballymena man Ryan Connor (Pezula Racing Team) with second place going to Kerry man Paul Griffin (Giant Asia) & third place Andy Roche (Isle of Man). Most of the top Irish riders are anticipated to enter, making up a full field of around 100 cyclists.
In addition to the Omagh Sports Forum being the major sponsors, the race has also attracted support from the Sport NI, Gallen Vehicle Hire, and the Irish News.
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