BIKELINE LATEST: STAGE WIN FOR PCA'S OLIPHANT

Evan Oliphant

Evan Oliphant took the second stage of the Bikeline Two-Day this afternoon, as Dean Downing, third on the stage, grabbed the leader?s jersey.

Oliphant, of Plowman Craven, got the better of two Rapha-Condor-Recycling.co.uk riders at the finish.

The leading trio of Oliphant, and Rapha pair Dale Appleby and Downing, fought out the finish of the 56-kilometre stage after breaking away from a group that also contained Matt Stephens (Sigmasport), Matthew Higgins (Team Corley Cycles) and another Rapha rider, Rob Partridge.

Ian Wilkinson (SIS-Trek), the overall leader after winning this morning?s time trial, finished in the main group around 40 seconds back.

It means Downing, with the backing of a strong team, will be the hot favourite to clinch the opening Premier Calendar race of the season when it concludes with a 138-kilometre stage that starts and finishes in Hope but takes in a tough circuit around Denbigh.

PROVISIONAL RESULT: STAGE TWO, 56KM

1. Evan Oliphant (Plowman Craven) 56km in 1hr 16min 15sec

2. Dale Appleby (Rapha-Condor-Recycling.co.uk) same time

3. Dean Downing (Rapha-Condor-Recycling.co.uk) same time

4. Matthew Stephens (Sigmasport) at 5sec

5. Matthew Higgins (Team Corley Sport) same time

6. Rob Partridge (Rapha-Condor-Recycling.co.uk) same time

7. Simon Gaywood (Plowman Craven) at 35sec

8. Russell Downing (Pinarello) same time

9. Marc Perry (Sports Beans-Wilier) same time

10. Mark Wordsworth (Team Corley Cycles) Same time

OVERALL

1. Dean Downing (Rapha-Condor-Recycling.co.uk) 1hr 19min 7sec

2. Evan Oliphant (Plowman Craven) at 8sec

3. Dale Appleby (Rapha-Condor-Recycling.co.uk) at 14sec

4. Rob Partridge (Rapha-Condor-Recycling.co.uk) at 17sec

5. Matthew Higgins (Team Corley Cycles) at 21sec

6. Matthew Stephens (Sigmasport) at 24sec

7. Ian Wilkinson (SIS-Trek) at 33sec

8. Simon Richardson (Plowman Craven) at 36sec

9. Russell Downing (Pinarello) at 37sec

10. Tom Barras (Plowman Craven) same time

Race leader Dean Downing bridges the gap with team-mate Dale Appleby. Photos: Andy Jones

Opening time trial winner Ian Wilkinson leads the chase, but couldn't stop Dean Downing from stealing the leader's jersey by the end of the day

RELATED LINKS

Stage 3: Another stage for Wilkinson

Stage 1: Wilkinson wins the time trial

The Big Preview: Bikeline Two-Day

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