Stage Third For Dane On Tour
Tour of Ulster on Saturday 1st May 2010
Cousins Dane and Raymond Dunlop recently competed in the Northern Ireland's premier road race, the Tour of Ulster, the Lakeland Cycle Club members enlisted some help. This came in the shape of Noel Wilson of East Tyrone CC, a Scottish rider by the name of Gavin McDonald and Omagh based Slovakian National, Ondrej Slobodnic. This gave the squad strength in depth as the entry list on first inspection included several Pro and semi Pro teams from across the water. This race always attracts a high calibre of competitor and this year would be no exception with the inclusion of former Tour de France rider and early race favourite Malcolm Elliott who was amongst the top British and Irish riders present.
Stage One
Racing began in Dungannon on the Saturday morning with a gruelling 93 mile stage around Tyrone and Fermanagh. This included a large number of King of Hill climbs which would sort the men from the boys and sort them out it did. This stage brought the boys near home territory and over Sion Finn Fintona. Still in the bunch and chasing an early break Raymond went on a chase quickly followed by Dane. They managed to bridge the gap to a leading group of around 30 but suffered on the final climb near Eglish with nearly 90 miles in the legs. Dane soldiered on alone and in the closing stages Ray was swallowed back up by the bunch as they gathered for a sprint. Gavin showed form of his track pedigree taking the sprint but was nearly nine mins down on the leaders.
Stage Two
Another long road stage, this time 92 miles, circumnavigating Lough Neagh with a few additional bumps. Raymond punctured early on and about 15 miles in. The wheel quickly changed he set about chasing hard to get back on which he managed after 10 miles and with the help of Ondrej who had waited with him. Not long after Dane's gears began to play up. Ex pro Ondrej was on hand again to help but as he reached down to adjust Dane's gears disaster struck as they touched and both went down. Ken Dunlop in the team car was soon on hand and provided Dane with a replacement bike to get him going. Unfortunately this was to mark the end of the race for Ondrej who left the scene in an ambulance. The stage ended with Gavin again taking the bunch sprint and Noel, Ray and Dane finishing in the bunch.
Stage Three
This was a short 1.6 mile time trial and after the team's eventful day the best results were gained. Dane was out of the blocks quickly and posted a fantastic time just 1.3 seconds slower than the stage winner to take third place. Professional and yellow jersey wearer Elliott was a further 5.5 seconds back. What a result for the wee team from Fermanagh.
Stage Four
The final stage of 70 miles was over a course well known to the boys as it used several circuits of the PJ Logan cup course hosted by Island Wheelers. With so many laps it seemed like a criterium out of the junctions with the boys hanging in the peloton as the teams attacked continually. Eventually a 12 man group broke free on the last lap. Elliott realising the group contained a threat to the yellow jersey went on the offensive joined by three other riders. This small group containing Philip Lavery, Conor Murphy none other than our own Dane Dunlop chased to catch the leaders. With 5k to go Ray Dunlop then shot from the pack and eventually joined the four musketeers only to be swallowed up again by the sprint. Gavin again taking the sprint honours with Noel well up in the bunch.
The team had a great weekend despite the set backs and Dane's third on stage three shows what can be done against stern opposition. The team and club would like to thank club Sponsor Ray Pauley of Pauley Cable Jointing Lakeland Bikes who provided food gels and liquids for the boys. Also the team would like to thank team manager Kenny Dunlop for great work from the team car and physio Paul McCorry for seeing to aching limbs.
No doubt we will be back next year.