North Down CC's David Watson makes no mistake in taking the sprint for 2nd today ahead of two really strong men in the shape of Aquablue's Sean Lacey and new climbers' classification leader John Mason (Photo: Marian Lamb - Cycling Ulster)
Having raced from U14 level until he was aged 21 years, David Watson took a break from the sport for six seasons only to return last year and ride the An Post Rás in his comeback campaign.
Clearly having consolidated his form since his return, the 27-year-old from Bangor, Co Down, today put in a fantastic ride to emerge one of the very strongest at the head of a quality Tour of Ulster field after a very tough day in the saddle.
Placed second on the opening 98-mile stage behind winner Greg Swinand of UCD CC, he plans to adapt a wait and see approach to the remainder of the race.
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“Today definitely surpassed by expectations,” North Down CC’s Watson told stickybottle.
“At the Tour of the North I got a bit of tendonitis in my ankle and I had to take a week off. I only just started training this week and I’m taped up. Maybe the week off did me no harm; maybe I’ve come into this a bit fresher.
“We’ve a hard day tomorrow and again another hard one on Monday. I’d no real GC aspirations coming into this so we’ll see what happens; follow the wheels, see how it goes.”
Watson said when the winning move went early on, it was eventual winner Swinand who took an instrumental role in getting the 12-man escape organised, with everyone working.
While the gap reached 1:40 at one stage, there was a group of 23 chasers just 40 seconds back at that point with around 35km remaining.
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However, while the escape would fragment in the run-in, at the finish Swinand arrived alone some 10 seconds ahead of a three man group led in by Watson, with the bunch a further 38 seconds back.
Watson said Swinand attacked on the last KOH and by that stage the break was splitting.
“I think it was 12 or 13 went down to 10 and then it went down to seven over that last KOH. Then three of us managed to clip a way before Greg got away on his own on the run in."
With Swinand up front powering for home, Watson found himself part of a strong trio, with Sean Lacey of Aquablue and John Mason of DID Dunboyne, who took the climbers’ jersey for his efforts today.
“We rode a bit to try and get Greg back but it wasn’t to be. So I got a bit of a breather then and managed to get the guys in the sprint for second place.”
Watson said while he has this season placed “top 10s, from 5th to 10th regularly” he was very pleased with his ride today in the longest race of the season so far.
“To go away so early and then to stay out there; it was hard. The average was up at 27 miles per hour. It was savage.
“And then you had a really quality field behind. You have the likes of Roger Aiken, Damien Shaw, Bryan McCrystal; there was big hitters that missed the move and it was probably surprising not to be brought back.
“I’m riding the Rás, we’re putting a team in and this weekend is crucial for that. So looking at the distance today, it’s good preparation for the Rás so I am definitely happy with it; it’s the perfect build up.”
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