|
|
|
Last Updated: 6 Apr 2018 - 3:10:13 PM |
NEWRY 3 DAY: South Dublin's McManus triumphs
By Tommy Campbell
2 Jul 2012,
|
Email this article
|
 |
| Art McManus overall winner |
Art McManus delivered the goods on behalf of the South Dublin CC over the weekend . He took the overall honours in the 25th edition of the Newry Wheelers promotion who like Stephen Roche were in celebratory mode.
Art never looked in doubt throughout the final stage sponsored by Felix O'Hare Builders as his team marshalled the competitors throughout the final stage. The promoting club. Newry Wheelers attempted throw spanners in the network that would unseat McManus, but his loyal club mates did not winch under the pressure.
Matt Blayney was keen to cement his lead in the McKinley Contracts points jersey and he assured of his lead by taking the second sprint of the day distancing his nearest rival Drew McKinley.
Heading towards Castlewellan it was stage three Gareth McKee of Banbridge who took off in pursuit of glory with TVR's Brian Steele. The duo built up a lead of one minute plus over the bunch and kept the gap at 40 secs over the category one climb of Byransford.
The fact that those in contention were well aware that there was no let up in the bunch. Ideally it suited McManus for the duo who were up front were of no significant danger to his standing in the leaderboard.
The final climb at Rathfriland was a launching pad for Clarke to exercise his power, but the dye was cast when the' and the final KOH Clarke had a good go but McManus was ideally positioned to cover the move and with McKee being caught on the descent the GC was all bar the shouting, sewn up barring a mechanical for the leader.
Coming into the finish a bunch sprint was on the cards, Drew McKinley Newry wheelers lead out teammate Clarke into the final corner but it was North Downs Matt Blayney who latched onto Clarke and took the win just ahead of junior Clarke.
This made sure of Blayney's Points jersey, Mc Kee secured the KOH FPM Jersey with his gutsy display and South Dublin CC were winners in the team award.
 |
| Matt Blayney (North Down) wins stage 4 from Cormac Clarke (Newry Whls) and Gary Jeffers (East Tyrone) |
A thank you goes out to all involved with the race from officials/marshals/drivers, sponsors, motorbike marshals and a massive thank you to the PSNI who once again did a great job.
----
 |
| Overall leader after his Stage 2 TT win, Ian Richardson (UCD) |
Dramatic day at Queen stage of Newry 3 day
It was a day of high drama on stage 3 of the Newry 3 day in which the lead has now changed hands. Art McManus took yellow with Ross Collins taking the stage.
 |
| Ross Collins (UCD) riding to a convincing stage win and the 'Spotted Jersey'. |
After only 2 mile racing a good break broke clear which included Stevie McKenna Omagh, Matt Blayney North Down, David Mc Knight and Darren Weir TVR, Kevin Lynch Newry, Gareth McKee Banbridge, Nigel Quigley Bann Wheelers, Brain Stewart Phoenix and Fran Gibson and the yellow jerseys team mate Ross Collins UCD.
 |
| Gareth McKee (Banbridge CC) heading for 5th place on stage 3. |
The break worked well and quickly built a 2 minute lead over the peleton.UCD and Richardson where happy to let the break build a lead as they had Ross Collins in it who had a free ride as Richardson was in yellow.
With no organised chase behind the break lead built to 3 minutes. Art McManus South Dublin team rode tempo which stabilised the gap but with 25 mile to go it was still at 3 minutes. This is where the home team Newry Wheelers took the race in their own hands and set off in pursuit of the leading riders.At the top of Reed Hall the gap had come down to 2 minutes.
 |
| Cormac Clark (Newry Whls) stormed to 2nd place. |
 |
| Stephen Harkin (Team Madigan) and Art Mac Manusa (South Dublin) battle it out for 3rd and 4th place, Mac Manusa is now the overall race leader.. |
Meanwhile in the break Gareth McKee took a flyer on the 2nd last climb of the day and looked good as he built a lead over his breakaway companions.
After the 2nd KOH and at the bottom of Spelga the Newry driven bunch reduced the deficit to 1 minute.
 |
| Fran Gibson (South Dublin) took 6th place today |
McKee was still looking good but Collins UCD set off in pursuit off McKee and gradually clawed the Banbridge man back. And clawed back he did catching McKee taking the win.
From the bunch it was Clarke who ripped up the climb in fine fashion and caught all but one rider to take 2nd on the day and keep his GC aspirations alive. A fine ride by the 17 year old.
 |
| A clever piece of riding will put Matt Blayney (North Down) in 'Green' tomorrow |
McManus now leads Clarke by 4 seconds with Collins third at 7 secs.
With tomorrows route far from easy and at 66 miles in length the race is still their for taking. All jerseys are up for grabs and their will be some battle on the roads of the Mournes.
Stage Result
1 Collins,Ross UCD 2h13'50"
2 Clarke,Cormac Newry Wheelers A 2h13'53" @03"
3 Harkins,Stephen Team Madigan 2h14'02" @12"
4 Mac Manusa,Art South Dublin 2h14'04" @14"
5 McKee,Gareth Banbridge CC 2h14'10" @20"
6 Gibson,Fran South Dublin 2h14'14" @24"
Overall
1 Mac Manusa,Art 2 South Dublin 4h00'11"
2 Clarke,Cormac J Newry Wheelers A 4h00'15" @04"
3 Collins,Ross 2 UCD 4h00'18" @07"
4 McKee,Gareth 3 Banbridge CC 4h00'31" @20"
5 Harkins,Stephen V Team Madigan 4h00'32" @21"
6 McKinney,Bryan 2 Duffin 4h00'33" @22"
See PDF Download for full stage results
----
 |
| Riders roll out of St Marks for the start of stage 1 - Picture by Louis Mc Nally |
QUIGLEY TAKES OPENING STAGE OF NEWRY 3 DAY
 |
| Nigel Quigley (Bann Wheelers) in yellow |
Nigel Quigley took stage 1 of the Newry 3 day tonight in what was a great finish. Quigley got the hop on the bunch with 600 metres to go and took the final 2 corners brilliantly to take a well deserved win. Matt Blayney took 2nd with Cormac Clarke from the promoting club 3rd. 88 eager riders took off from Warrenpoint at 7pm and while a few moves tried to get away the race mainly stayed together for the duration of the night.
On the 1st category Grinan hill a few splits happened on the climb but it all came back on the descent before the final 3 laps around the town where a bunch sprint was on the cards.
Quigley took his win well and now heads into tomorrows TT on equal time with Blayney and Clarke.
Clarke took consolation in taking the prime at the KOH sponsored by FPM and the home club took another jersey with Drew Mc Kinley taking the points jersey sponsored by McKinley Contracts.
Tomorrow sees a TT in the morning with the tough hilly 55 mile stage in the afternoon.
 |
| Nigel Quigley ( Bann Wheelers) outsprints Matt Blayney (North Down) to win stage 1 |
 |
| Drew Mc Kinley (Newry Wheelers) takes the first hot spot sprint of the evening |
Stage 1 Stage Result and GC
1 Quigley,Nigel Bann Wheelers 1h41'46"
2 Blayney,Matt North Down 1h41'46"
3 Clarke,Cormac Newry Wheelers A 1h41'46"
4 Doherty,Brendan VC Glendale 1h41'49" @03"
5 McKinley,Drew Newry Wheelers A 1h41'49" @ s/t
6 McKinney,Bryan Duffin 1h41'49" @ s/t
7 Kane,Bobby Bann Wheelers 1h41'49" @ s/t
8 McCorry,Myles Cuchulainn 1h41'49" @ s/t
9 Morton,Eoin UCD 1h41'49" @ s/t
10 McDonald,Paul Slipstream Race Team 1h41'49" @ s/t
 |
| Cormac Clarke (Newry Wheelers) takes 3rd place on the stage and the KOH jersey |
KOH Jersey sponsored by FPM Accountants
1 Clarke,C 10
2 McManusa,A 7
3 Harkins,S 5
 |
| 2nd place on the lap 2 hot spot sprint puts McKinley into the Points leaders jersey tomorrow |
Points jersey sponsored by McKinley Contracts
1 Drew McKinley
|
|
|
|
