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
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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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Sports journalist Lionel Birnie has written professionally for Sunday Times, Procycling and of course Cycling Weekly. He is also an author, publisher, and co-founder of The Cycling Podcast. His first experience covering the Tour de France came in 1999, and he has presented The Cycling Podcast with Richard Moore and Daniel Friebe since 2013. He founded Peloton Publishing in 2010 and has ghostwritten and published the autobiography of Sean Kelly, as well as a number of other sports icons.
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