Evans surges into contention

CYCLING/Weekly Column: National road race bronze medallist Tommy Evans jumped up the leaderboard of the Eagle Tour of Malaysia yesterday when he won the second leg of the 2.6 international stage race.

Following strong early work by his Team Ireland colleagues, Evans made his move in Kuah, some 20 kilometres from the end of the 143-kilometre stage. The French-based cyclist surged ahead with five other riders and then struck for home inside the final kilometre. He reached the line three seconds clear of the next rider and five ahead of the rest of the bunch.

Evans' fine win ensures he takes over the points jersey and, following his 10th place in Wednesday's prologue, jumps up to third overall. He is now just 10 seconds off the race lead of Australian Glen Chadwick and is hoping to use the tough climbs on today's key stage as a springboard to further improvement.

Of the other Irish riders, Paul Griffin was a good fifth earlier yesterday while his young team-mate Denis Lynch is now third overall in the under-23 competition.

Meanwhile, the winner of the M. Donnelly Junior Tour, Nicolas Roche, will lead an Irish selection in the Junior Tour of Wales next week. Roche took two stages, the mountains jersey and the overall classification during the six-day stage race and his impressive ride has prompted national squad manager Tom Keenan to believe that he could win the Welsh event. "He is very strong at the moment and will be a big favourite," he said.

Roche will be joined on the team by national junior champion Páidí O'Brien, Andrew McQuaid, Barry Woods, Mark Cassidy and Theo Hardwick, who was the best first-year last week.

In related news, the organisers of the M. Donnelly Junior Tour have vowed to build upon the success of the race this year. The international stage race benefited considerably from its transferral to Waterford and with funds now in place for 2003, Alice Sherratt and Philip Cassidy plan to begin working shortly on next year's race.

Increasing the number of riders in the event is one priority, but they are also seeking to secure world-ranking points for the event within the next couple of years.

A strong field is travelling North tonight for the National Criterium Championships in Lurgan, with Irish professional David McCann amongst those expected to take part. Racing takes place on a technical one-kilometre circuit. Information available from the race organisers on 048 7799 345 684.