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Commonwealth Games rider Ryan Connor has confirmed his entry for the P&O Irish Sea Tour of the North. The scene is now set for a big `local derby` between him and two-time winner Tommy Evans who will head a strong Terry Dolan.com outfit.
Evans and Connor went head to head last week at the Tour of Ards, with Evans taking the sprint verdict. Both are expected to start as favourites at this weekends big event, the John Beggs Memorial in Dromore, but next week will be a different matter, with 4 days and 5 stages of racing to decide the outcome.
Connor is the most recent winner of the event, in 2004 and interestingly enough it was Evans who was leading on the final day that year when a broken chain handed the win to the then 19 year-old Ballymena man. Ryan has gone on to represent GB at World level, and also picked up the All-Ireland U23championship last year.
Evans on the other hand has `been there and done it` having won virtually everything there is to win in Irish Cycling. Two Tour of the North wins, former Irish Champion an FBD Ras win are all in his CV, and on his return from the Games in Melbourne a couple of weeks ago notched up his 3rd win in the prestigious Tour of Ards event. Despite being `thirty something` Evans still packs a punch, and will be out to add to his 1999 & 2003 event victories.
This years 4-day format is not expected to be a local benefit, with an increased number of cross channel riders out to spoil Connor and Evans fun. The only other previous event winner in the start line up is 1998 victor, Andy Proffitt. Whilst he may not be expected to score another win, his two team mates in the Arctic Racing Team, Danny Axford and James Dobbin are both `Elite` category and could well be in the frame for success.
On paper, the mainland boys look strong with Elite category riders scattered among their number. Former British Under 23 Champion Neil Swithenbank heads up an impressive MK Cycles-Lancashire Road Club combine, whilst regulars, Fuji Bikes UK have Gareth Jones in contention. Another last minute entry is Greg Roche another useful Tour riders.
It could well be another `youngster` who pulls on Yellow on Easter Monday, as the Under 23 category has attracted almost 20% of the entry. Local riders out to make an impression here are Martyn Irvine and Adam Armstrong, already winners in 2006. They will be up against the well-drilled Agisco-Viner.co.uk squad, with Daniel Davies based in Belgium for `06, having ridden for the team in Holland in 2005.
All in all it is shaping up to be a cracking Tour, with a bumper field and quality to match, roll on Good Friday.
More details and information from Davy Ross or on (028) 9336 7703
P&O Irish Sea Tour of the North 2006 Entry
List
Northern CC-Dave Kane
1 Adam Armstrong
2 Ashley Patterson
3 David Watson
4 Fraser Duncan
Balymena Road Club-
Scott Rooftiles
5 Conor McAllister
6 Andrew Hoey
7 David Dougan
8 Tommy Wilson
9 Ryan Connor
10 Ryan Bankhead
11 Paul Murdoch
Glasgow Whs-
Taylor Agency
12 Jamie Drever
13 Edward Cluer
14 Mark Symington
15 Gordon Murdoch
North Down CC
16 Michael Hamilton
17 Keith Millar
18 Declan McMackin
19 Phillip Marshall
20 Paul Ferguson
21 Myles McCrory (Apolo)
Apollo CT `B`
22 Connor Lavery
23 Keiran Downey
24 Johnny McGlade
Bann Whs
25 Liam Donnelly
Royal Navy CA
26 Steven Mercer
Dromara CC
27 Ian Mason
28 Timothy Edgar
29 Ronnie Smyth
30 Stephen Baines
31 Darren Weir
32 David McKnight
Arctic Shorter
Rochford RT
33 Andy Proffitt
34 James Dobbin
35 Danny Axford
Team Madigan CC `B`
36 Davy Clarke
37 Stephen Farr
38 Nick Giles
39 Joey Williams
Scotland
40 Ross Yates
41 Graeme Laughton
42 Callum Shields
43 Andrew Whitehall
44 Ross Creber
45 James McCallum
Apollo CT `A`
46 Tony McConville
47 Sean McGreevy
48 David Mulholland
49 David Gardiner
50 Tony Hare
Team Madigan CC `A`
51 Chris Roper
52 Jonathan Kyle
53 Gary McKeegan
54 John Neill
55 Paul Agnew
MK Cycles-LRC
Combine
56 Mark Dziobon
57 Neil Swithenbank
58 Julian Sharples
59 John Bellamy
60 Craig Battersby
Orchard Wheelers
61 Richard Alhadeff
62 Keith Gallagher
63 John Scott
64 Simon Williams
65 Allister Fiddes
66 Lester Fiddes
TerryDolan.com `B`
67 Brendan Graham
68 Ronan McLaughlin
69 Colm Watson
70 Alan Hall
71 Derek Evans
East Antrim – Audi
72 Jonathan Dempsey
73 James McConnell
74 Danny Hylands
75 Gary Cranston
76 Gordon Scott
77 Stephen McKenna
CicliSport.com
78 Alastair Steele
West Pennine RC
79 Peter Hey
80 Daniel Shand
81 John Hey
82 Andy Gott
83 Greg Roche
Roe Valley CC-
Classic Walls
84 Brendan O`Brien
85 Gary Nugent
86 Kevin O`Neill
87 Ryan Patton
Ards CC
88 Martyn Irvine
89 Brendan Kirk
90 Keiran McKenna
91 Warren Francs
92 Gareth Crothers
Clann Eireann CC
93 Michael Murray
94 Thomas Martin
95 Andrew Smyth
Castlereagh CC-Mattest
96 Gerard Hevern
97 Adrian Hughes
98 Mike Millar
99 Tony Boyle
Newry Whs-
Haldane Fisher
100 Padraig Lynch
101 Kevin Lynch
102 Karl Dolan
103 Liam Dolan
104 Drew McKinley
105 Mark McKinley
Team Kenesis UK
106 Peter Williams
107 Sam Thompson
108 Mark Thwaites
109 Jonathan McEvoy
110 Sam Webster
Team Murphy & Gunn
111 Paul Mulligan
Team Fuji Bikes UK
112 Gareth Jones
113 Iain Roach
114 Dafydd Dylan
115 Gareth Pugh
Agisco-Viner.co.uk
116 Sean Brennan
117 Liam Terry
118 Daniel Davies
119 Gyles Wingate
TerryDolan.com `A`
120 Gary Crory
121 Willie Hamilton
122 Brendan Doherty
123 Tommy Evans
Usher-Irish RC
124 Niall Delahaye
125 Matt Ward
126 Thomas Lavery
127 Shane Baker
128 Peter Hawkins
TotalCycling.com
129 Aaron Deane
130 Adrian McDermott
131 Paul Hanna
132 Chris Sandy
Phoenix CC
133 Barry Mullin
134 Paul Brady
135 Domhall Wildy
