Simon Tuomey produced his best ever display when he won the Balearic Championships against a host of continental and international riders.
By Brian Canty
Simon Tuomey took his first win of the season yesterday afternoon, and in Majorca of all places.
The talented 17 year-old beat a host of top riders in the Balearic Road Championships.
It's as surprising as it is welcome for the young Cork Giant Team man after an illness-blighted season so far.
And he hopes it can be the start of a really good summer when he plans to target the Junior Tour, the Suir Valley Three Day, National TT Championships as well as the European and World Championships if selected.
Tuomey is in Majorca with the national junior squad along with Michael O'Loughlin, Declan Mulholland, Adam Stenson and Cathal Clarke.
The junior team, track and road, is being coached by Frank O'Leary.
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There's also an u23 track and road selection on the island and Daniel Stewart was also on the podium yesterday, finishing third.
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Tuomey said he felt strong and was determined to be aggressive from the start.
And when he made a key selection early on he felt a result was very possible.
Eventually, Tuomey and Stewart managed to escape with local rider Alberto Muntaner, a brother of current Irish track coach David Muntaner.
Muntaner's team mate Alberto Torres, a former world madison champion, was also in the escape.
Stewart put in some huge pulls on the front but when Torres attacked on the final climb, Stewart was distanced though Tuomey was equal to it and latched onto the Spaniard.
Torres used his knowledge of the local roads to whip down the descent towards the finish but Tuomey managed to get back on level terms inside the final kilometre.
The Corkman summoned one last effort, distancing Torres and having enough time to celebrate a very fine win, with Stewart holding on for bronze.
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