Simon Tuomey has looked like a very talented bike rider for a few years now, and having taken a win in Spain, he seems to be on his way to great things.
By Brian Canty
Simon Tuomey confirmed his status as one of the best juniors in the country at present by taking victory in a one-day race in Majorca yesterday against a very strong field of elite riders.
The Cork Giant man is now targeting the overall at the Junior Tour and is willing to sacrifice time on the track to achieve that goal.
He had fellow Irishman Daniel Stewart to thank for his win yesterday; the Irish U23 international doing a great job to ensure the break wouldn't be caught when the Irish pair pulled clear in a small group on the last lap.
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"The race was very fast from the outset but we were all together coming into the first climb on the first lap," said the 17 year-old.
"I knew it could possibly split straight away and then Daniel attacked at the foot of the climb.
"And coming over the top there was a group of about 10 riders with a gap, including myself," he said.
As well as Stewart and Tuomey in the group, another Irish junior also with the Irish team in Majorca was present in the shape of Adam Stenson.
Albert Torres, one half of the 2014 world madison champion pairing, was also there as was his compatriot Jaime Alberto Muntaner.
"We got working very well straight away and the gap got big quickly," said Tuomey.
"We all pulled our weight, bar a few lads sitting on the back but they were gone as soon as we hit the hill," he explained.
They were still together with 60km to go when the attacking started, with Stewart very aggressive.
"I knew he was strong," continued Tuomey.
"But Muntaner and Torres kept attacking each other and eventually Daniel and Muntaner got a gap.
"The lads were jumping around and after someone put in a hard attack and was brought back I countered and jumped across."
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Simon Tuomey in the colours of Ireland during the Gorey Three Day TT at Easter; he is shaping up very nicely and a win in Spain yesterday will keep his motivation high as he enters the key part of his season (Photo: Sean Rowe)
With the two Irish men and Muntaner clear, it looked like they had the winning of the race between them.
The Irish riders had the advantage of being able to work over Muntaner on the final lap.
"Daniel was doing the lion's share of the work,” explained Tuomey.
"Then halfway up the climb Torres came flying past and I managed to get onto his wheel.
“The two of us were together all the way up - he kept attacking me but I wasn't letting him get away.
"We started working because we didn't want anyone else coming across.”
On the fast downhill descent, Torres put his local knowledge to good use, getting a gap on junior Tuomey and holding it until 1km remaining when the Irish teenager got back on terms.
“I came flying past him and soloed to win," he said.
Tuomey will stay on the island training with the Irish camp – which includes junior, U23 and elite riders - until the middle of this week before returning home.
"I'm here on a camp for track but I've decided to stick to the Junior Tour this year,” he said.
“I’ve been aiming for it since last winter and don't have enough track time,” he added in reference to the other Irish juniors who have been preparing specifically for the European Track Championships.
"Track is something I want to do in the future, individual pursuit especially.
"For now the plan for the summer is Junior Tour, Suir Valley Three Day, Junior Tour of Wales, and the nationals, especially the TT; as well as the Europeans and Worlds.
"But the Junior Tour is the big one. Hopefully I can continuing building and pull off the result I want there."
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