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Last Updated: Apr 24th, 2008 - 16:28:08 |
ONE WEEK TO TOUR OF ULSTER
By Paul Nugent, PR Officer, Tour of Ulster
Apr 24, 2008,
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Omagh Sports Forum Tour of Ulster 2008
The first stage of this year’s tour from Omagh to Omagh is a difficult stage. With the stage lengths just short of 80 miles and also three major climbs to get over. The stage starts from Omagh Leisure Centre and passes through Dromore, Fintona towards the first climb of the day, which at 21 miles of racing outside Tempo and is a Category 3 climb, the race then passes through Enniskillen, on route to Fivemiletown, Clogher and Augher before the second climb of the day, another Category 3 climb at 64 mile just outside Ballygawley. The race then heads towards the final climb of the day a Category 2 climb, just 12 miles from the finish at Campsie Road, Omagh.
The second stage from Omagh to Omagh is a very hilly stage. The stage starts from Omagh Leisure Centre and with the stage length at almost 70 miles, and five climbs on the route. The first climb comes at just 5 mile at Mountfield and is a Category 3 climb. The race then heads to Cookstown, and the next climb at the top at Lough Fea and is a Category 2 climb. The next climb is a Category 1 climb on route to Plumbridge, then the race heads towards Gortin and another Category 3 climb, through Gortin and towards the last climb of the day at the top of Gortin Glen a Category 1 climb, just 9 miles from the finish at Omagh Leisure Centre.
Stage three is a 2.5 miles Individual Time Trial on the Dromore Road with an out and back course. The stage will be for the time trial specialist, on a flat course.
The final stage from Omagh to Omagh is relatively flat stage with only three climbs early on in the stage and at over 70 miles will be a very fast stage. The race starts from the Omagh Leisure Centre and passes through Newtonstewart and Castlederg to the first climb of the day at 23 miles then the next 2 climbs come within 5 miles of each other. The race then heads towards onto Ederney, Ballinmallard and Dromore, with the finish just outside Omagh on the Dromore Road.
Entries are now closed with the field complete. Twenty Two teams have entered, along with individual entries. Last years winner Ryan Connor Pezula Racing Team is back to defend his title. Giant Asia professional Paul Griffin is also riding, Griffin finished third last Sunday at the Shay Elliott. Also An Post professional Denis Dunworth. In form Northern CC Dave Kane rider Frazer Duncan will be a hot favourite for a stage win. Also riding this year is the Ireland National Junior team being lead by Sean Downey from Banbridge. Sean finished third at the Tour of the North stage race at Easter and won his first international stage race in France 2 weeks ago.
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