Tipperary's Ray Clarke (Dan Morrissey) won the 2006 edition of the Tour of Ulster after today’s final 60 mile stage from Cookstown to Newry.
The stage was won by Paul Helion (Murphy & Gunn) who lead home a 3 man group that slipped away on the finishing circuit in Newry and held on to win by a few seconds.
With a strong tail wind the pace today was extremely fast with an average speed of almost 29mph.
The main bunch was very active all the way to the finish at Newry with various groups going off the front, the main riders on the attack were Paul Helion (Murphy & Gunn), Ryan Connor (Ballymena Scott Roof Tiles), Conor Murphy (Murphy & Gunn), Ciaran Power (Navigators), Andrew Roche (Murphy & Gunn) and Jonathan Dempsey (East Antrim Audi), but no one gained any more than 25 seconds on the main field.
Clarke a former bronze medallist at the Track World Championship finished the stage in 6th place to claim the title for the first time.
Ciaran Power (Navigators) held on to his overnight advantage to claim victory in the Abmopticians.com KOH Competition, while Ryan Connor (Ballymena Scott Roof Tiles) won the Irish News Young Rider Competition (Under 23) and Murphy & Gunn won the team prize.
Stage 4 Result - Cookstown - Newry (60 miles)
1 Paul Helion Murphy & Gunn A 2h05'44"
2 Fraser Duncan East Antrim Audi 2h05'44" @ s/t
3 Stephen O'Sullivan, Myhome/Cycleways A 2h05'47" @ 03"
4 Conor Murphy, Murphy & Gunn A 2h05'48" @ 04"
5 Brian Taafe Dublin Whs/All Systems 2h05'48" @ s/t
6 Ray Clarke Dan Morrissey 2h05'48" @ s/t
7 Craig Sweetman Stamullen/Donnelly 2h05'48" @ s/t
8 Bill Moore Stamullen/Donnelly 2h05'48" @ s/t
9 Paul Brady Clann/Linen Green 2h05'48" @ s/t
10 Simon Kelly Murphy & Gunn B 2h05'48" @ s/t
General Classification - Final Overall
1 Ray Clarke Dan Morrissey 7h49'20"
2 Conor Murphy Murphy & Gunn A 7h49'35" @ 15"
3 Paul Helion Murphy & Gunn A 7h50'10" @ 50"
4 Ryan Connor Ballymena Scott Roof Tiles 7h50'14" @ 54"
5 Brian Kenneally Myhome/Cycleways A 7h50'32" @ 01'12"
6 Ciaran Power Navigators 7h50'40" @ 01'20"
7 Andrew Roche Murphy & Gunn A 7h50'41" @ 01'21"
8 Jonathon Dempsey East Antrim Audi 7h50'48" @ 01'28"
9 Greg Swinand Irish Road Club 7h50'49" @ 01'29"
10 Martin O'Loughlin Dan Morrissey 7h51'01" @ 01'41"
KOH Cat 3 at Newry Road
1 R Connor 5pts
2 A Roche 3pts
3 C Power 2pts
4 R Clarke 1pt
KOH Competition - Abmopticians.com
1 C Power 31
2 R Connor 13
3 B Keane 11
4 A Roche 9
5 J Mason 9
6 P Helion 6
7 B Moore 5
Irish News Young Rider Final Overall - Under 23
1 R Connor = 7h50'14"
2 D Burke @ 52"
3 P Hanna @ 55"
4 S Rock @ 01'04"
5 P Hawkins @ 01'04"
6 Armstrong,A @ 04'46"
7 F Duncan @ 05'13"
8 D Mulhoulland @ 05'38"
9 P Brady @ 05'41"
10 T O'Regan @ 05'45"
Team Final Overall
1 Murphy & Gunn A = 23h30'26"
2 Dan Morrissey @ 01'24"
3 Irish Road Club @ 07'46"
