Liam Wilson's fortunes changed on stage two of the Newry Three Day; his team mates also getting into the mix for a strong overall performance (Photo by Brendan Monaghan)

Powerhouse juniors land Newry stage 2

Powerhouse Sport's Liam Wilson shone in an attacking finale of stage 2 at the Newry Three Day.

But none could take the yellow jersey off stage 1 winner Ben Walsh.

In a rolling, 65-mile test from Hilltown, around the Kilcoo circuit, a small break, including Harvey Barnes (Davy McCall), John Buller (Banbridge CC), Nick Clayton (Halesowen AC), and Sean Landers (Stamullen CC), took the first prime.

After 25 miles though, that break was absorbed. A collective effort by Powerhouse Sport and the NRPT duo of yellow jersey Ben Walsh and Conor Halvey closed down just about every other move.

Walsh was riding particularly strongly to chase on his own.

Powerhouse's PJ Doogan seized his chance at the foot of the first KOH.

He got 15 seconds before team mate and fellow first-year junior, Brendan Flanagan, and Newry Wheelers veteran Des Woods joined him.

They mopped up the points over that summit and were caught on the descent.

Ali Gribbon (Carn Wheelers) took the second KOH, with the bunch regrouping downhill once again for a sprint final.

Doogan's work was rewarded on the line when Powerhouse Sport's Liam Wilson outgunned prime winner Harvey Barnes (Davy McCall) to claim the stage.

Having lost some 2mins on stage 1, it was a welcome boost for Wilson.

The result moved him up to 11th overall at 1'55s. His team mate Adam Ward is still 5secs off the yellow jersey Ben Walsh.

June 30-July 2: Newry Three Day

Stage 2: Hilltown-Kilcoo Circuit (65 miles)

1 Wilson, Liam Powerhouse 2h29m19s
2 Barnes, Harvey Davy McCall @s/t
3 Morton, John Harps CC @s/t
4 Ward, Adam Powerhouse @s/t
5 Buller, John Banbridge CC @s/t
6 Thompson, Michael Bann Wheelers @s/t
7 Flanagan, Brendan Powerhouse @s/t
8 Fotherhingham, Patrick Halesowen AC @s/t
9 Cunningham, Stephen TVR @s/t
10 Clayton, Nick Halesowen AC @s/t

General Classification

1 Walsh, Ben Team NRPT Time Deficit 3h43m20s
2 Ward, Adam Powerhouse @5s
3 McKinley, Mark Newry Wheelers @6s
4 Bingham, Alan Cuchulainn @12s
5 Downey, Ethan Clann Eireann @14s
6 Woods, Des Newry Wheelers @34s
7 Clayton, Nick Halesowen @36s
8 Weir, Nathan Harps
9 O'Neill, Gareth Newry Wheelers
10 Magowan, Gavin Velo Café Magasin @1m54s
11 Wilson, Liam Powerhouse @1m55s
12 McCarter, Caolam Omagh @1m56s
13 Barnes, Harvey Davy McCall @1m57
14 Morton, John Harps @1m59s
15 Buller, John Banbridge @s/t
16 Rooney, Fergus Phoenix @2m00s
17 Thompson, Michael Bann Wheelers @2m01s
18 Fotheringham, Patrick Halesowen @s/t
19 Halvey, Conor NRPT @s/t
20 Doherty, Robbie Davy McCall @s/t

Points Classification

1 Barnes, Harvey 21pts
2 McKinley, Mark 14pts
3 Buller, John 13pts
4 Walsh, Ben 11pts
5 Ward, Adam 9pts
6 Wilson, Liam 8pts

Mountains Classification

1 Ward, Adam 13pts
2 Gribbon, Ali 8pts
3 Walsh, Ben 7pts
4 Doogan, PJ 6pts
5 Flanagan, Brendan 3pts
6 Bingham, Alan 2pts
7 Woods, Des 1pt

Junior Classification

1 Walsh, Ben Team NRPT Time Deficit 3h43m20s
2 Ward, Adam Powerhouse @5s
3 Downey, Ethan Clann Eireann @14s
4 Wilson, Liam Powerhouse @1m55s
5 McCarter, Caolam Omagh @1m56s
6 Barnes, Harvey Davy McCall @1m57
7 Buller, John Banbridge @s/t
8 Halvey, Conor NRPT @s/t
9 Doherty, Robbie Davy McCall @s/t
10 Flanagan, Brendan Powerhouse @s/t
11 McAllister, Matthew @s/t
12 Ferguson, Jack @s/t
13 Shearer, Donal @s/t
14 Wiley, Aaron @s/t
15 Doogan, PJ @2m13s
16 Watson, Aaran @3m25s
17 McGlynn, Michael @7m09s

Team General Classification

1 Newry Wheelers 11h11m24s
2 Powerhouse @2m52s
3 Harps CC @3m14s
4 Cuchullain @4m13s
5 Davy McCall @4m39s
6 TVR @s/t
7 Stamullen Road Club @s/t
8 Phoenix cc @s/t
9 Ards CC @s/t
10 Orchard Wheelers @5m01s