TOMMY EVANS of Banbridge powered his way to a clear cut victory in the Noel Hammond memorial race, over three laps of a tough 27 miles Wicklow course yesterday. At the finish in Newtownmountkennedy, Evans had 46 seconds to spare over Michael O'Reilly (Cork) with David Peelo (Sorrento) third another four seconds behind.
Paddy Moriarty was next, followed by Paul Griffin and this leaves Griffin and Peelo level with 21 points each in the classic league series. However, Griffin retains the leader's jersey going into the next event to count at Bray on Sunday week.
The 92 starters were well strung out after the first ascent of the Long Hill, with Evans to the fore and next time up, Eddie McMahon was out in front, with Evansin a group of 19 close behind.
However, on the third time up the climb it was Evans clear by 35 seconds from Paddy Moriarty, Peelo and O'Reilly, with McMahon next and then Ian Chivers. Evans admitted that for a time he felt like waiting for company.
"I looked behind and when I saw it was Peelo chasing I was going to wait for him, but then I decided to go for it and I pulled away."
. Robin Seymour was the only Irish finisher in the World Cup mountain bike race at St Wendel in Germany yesterday when he was placed 66th.
In the qualifying event on Saturday Seymour, Martin Earley and Richie McCauley all got through, but Alastair Martin was eliminated after a puncture.
. Philip Collins and Ciaran Power were the only members of the Irish team to finish the three day Tour of the Vendee Region in France. Mark Hutton failed to survive the second stage and Micheal Fitzgerald, Peter Daly and Leslie McKay all withdrew on the final day. Meanwhile, Fitzgerald, Daly, Hutton, McKay, Paul Butler and Brian Kenneally are Ireland's representatives in the seven day Ruban Granitier in Brittany, which starts today.
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