TOMMY EVANS of Banbridge won the Tour of the Mournes yesterday at Newry but Raymond Clarke (Premier) finished fourth to retain his lead in the Callcard Classic League with 40 points to 39 for Evans.

At the end of the tough course of 72 miles Evans led in Declan McMackin with Karl Donnelly third, 43 seconds behind.but the seven points he earned was just sufficient to keep him ahead of Evans in the league.

Donnelly broke away with Simon Coughlan but left him behind on the Spelga Pass and Donnelly was out in front for 32 miles. When he was caught, Evans and McMackin forged ahead with 15 miles to go and, although they were in sight along the road in from Warrenpoint, they held out and at the finish Evans, who was second to David McCann last year, pulled two seconds away from McMackin. Donnelly left the chasing group again near the finish to take third place.

After Clarke and Evans in the league, Donnelly and David Peelo, who was sixth, are next on 31 points with the Mayo Wheelers race on Sunday at Clonbur next to count.