Adam Ward wins big in Newry; the manner of his victory very impressive at the end of a testing stage (All Photos by Toby Watson)
Adam Ward wins Newry Three Day stage 2 in style
One of the best junior riders in the country, Adam Ward has put in a dominant winning ride at the Newry Three Day.
At the end of stage 2 this afternoon he took all the spoils. The Powerhouse Sport teenager won the stage solo as well as taking the race lead.
And he also holds the points and climbers’ jerseys with one day of racing remaining.
Ward broke clear in a large escape during the longer than usual 128.5km stage today. And when that escape fractured in the pointy end of the contest, he made the key split.
He would then strike out on his own from the small front group to win after a very impressive display.
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And the men just behind him also put in top rides. Des Woods, a Masters 50 category rider, continues to compete like a man decades younger.
He took 2nd today for promoting club Newry Wheelers. The host club also filled 3rd place on the day; fellow supervet Alan Bingham the man rounding out the podium.
Three great athletes: Woods leads the charge in the chase from Delahaye and Bingham.
Ward was relentless; he is really hitting his stride now and has already impressed repeatedly this year and last.
VC Glendale's Crory leads the next group on the road; the breakaway splitting in the business end of the race. Crory would place 7th; a very solid result.
Next came another power rider; Cycling Ireland’s international coach Neil Delahaye taking 4h for Stamullen RC.
Because Friday evening’s stage 1 was neutralised after two vehicles crashed on the finishing circuit, the riders started from scratch today.
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However, while there was no placings from the opening stage and no general classification, the points and climbers’ jerseys were awarded.
Points in those competitions had been decided before last evening’s interruption. And it was Ward who had the green jersey.
Michael McGlynn, the Omagh Wheelers man who is breaking through of late, was wearing polka dots.
A strong man’s escape group, packed with Newry men, would rider clear early today. And from it the winning of the stage would unfold.
In that escape were Bingham, Woods and Delahaye; though Ward did not make the cut initially.
Woods and Bingham finish in 2nd and 3rd in the colours of Newry.
Also present was Kevin Lynch (Newry Wheelers), Johnny McRoberts (Banbridge CC), Glenn Kinning (Kinning Cycles) and Kenny Bagnall (Newry Wheelers).
David McIntyre (Maryland Wheelers) was there too, along with Craig Sweetman (Stamullen RC), Gary Crory (VC Glendale) and Colm Quinn (Cuchulainn CC).
Ward would join the escape after its gap was about one minute. And behind the leaders a strong chase group formed.
The chasers were Breandan Flannagan (Powerhouse Sport), Conor Halvey (NRPT-Chill Insurance) and Simon Jones (UCD-Fitzcyeles.ie).
They were stranded in the middle as the gap between bunch and breakaway neared two minutes, and then passed it to shoot out to three minutes.
Up front Ward was the man doing most damage; powering up the inclines and putting those he was with under pressure.
And that pressure saw the escape being trimmed back to nine. In there was Ward, Bingham, Woods, Lynch, Kinning, McIntyre, Sweetman, Delahaye and Crory.
And when it split again Ward would pull clear solo, being chased by three men; Delahaye, Bingham and Woods.
And that’s how it would stay; Ward once again setting the mark and the Masters riders showing the high standard that endures in that category.
More to follow.
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