Adam Ward showed he has huge potential after taking the biggest win of his short cycling career. He has joined a whose who of winners on the Jim Traynor memorial cup after showing the rest of the tour of mournes competiors a clean pair of wheeles in the 77 mile test in and around the mournes.

Having already enjoyed considerable success since the start of the season, Adam Ward has added to his tally of wins at the Tour of the Mournes.

The Powerhouse Sport junior rider took a solo victory after a late attack from the breakaway group.

Ward was victorious ahead of Cian Delaney (Stamullen RC), Conor McCann (Inspired Cycling) and Gareth O’Neill of host club Newry Wheelers. However, while Ward won it well in the end, it looked like he had missed the boat earlier in the race.

When a strong-looking escape went clear along the coast road about 45km into the race he wasn’t in it.But when a group of chasers got clear in pursuit of the leaders, Adam Ward was in that second group. The two groups would soon merge to form the main breakaway of the day in the 127km race.

It stayed largely intact until the very closing stages of the race. On the last climb Ward put in an attack and brought four others with him. They would pull clear of the rest of the breakaway. With about 8km remaining Ward made what looked like an innocuous move off the front.He found himself with a slight gap. And sensing those he was with were stalling; he went for broke to ride clear to a solo win. Ward, a junior international, has been going very well since the start of the campaign.

However, his form seems to be improving weekly, winning the recent Bann Valley Classic and Carn Classic.

Newry wheelers had 7 riders in the race with O Neill best placed in 4th. The wheelers put on a real team performance with Mark Mc Kinley 11th and Kevin Lynch putting in a huge effort for his younger team mates to set them up for a day in the break.

Once again the club pulled out all the stops to ensure the Tour of Mournes is one of the best races on the irish calender. The club would like to thank all involved including the PSNI and the crew at Café Core. The event was sponsored by Killowen Contracts and Haldane Fisher.

Results – Tour of Mournes

Promoted by Newry Wheelers CC

1.Adam Ward Powerhouse Sport

2.Cian Delany Stamullen

3.Conor Mc Cann Inspired

4.Gareth O Neill Newry Wheelers CC

5.Craig McAuley Team Caldwell

6.Gary Donaldson Team Caldwell

7.Johnny Taylor Carn Wheelers

8.Jody Wright Phoenix

9.Kevin Mc Kinney Armagh City Cyclists

10.Darragh Mc Carter Donegal Bay