Clemens Takes Stage 1 Tour of the North
Ed Clemens (Spirit Bikes) is the first yellow jersey of the 2016 Tour of the North after winning the opening stage at Kirkistown Motor racing circuit. Clemens was 1 minute and 4 seconds clear of his (Spirit Bikes) team mate Jake Hales with 18-year-old Declan Mulholland (Team Asea Wheelworx) third and last year’s Tour of the North winner, David Watson (North Down CC) fourth.
The one-hour stage on the exposed circuit was an aggressive contest with the high winds causing splits in the 110 strong peloton early in the race.
Clemens powered clear of a ten man leading group just after half distance and soloed to an impressive win.
His team mate Hales took the sprint for second to end a memorable night for the Buckinhamshire based Spirit Bikes Team, which won the team competition in last year’s Tour. Mulholland leads the Under 23 competitions. Mulholland leads the Under 23 Competition and will wear the White leaders jesey in tomorrow’s Stage 2 on the Ards Peninsula which starts in Portaferry 11am.
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