TACTICS played a significant role in yesterday's two stages of the Credit Union Junior Tour in which overnight leader, Jo Chevalier of Belgium lost the top position to Cork youngster, Barry Twohig, who was representing Ireland.

First the competitors faced a six and a half mile time-trial on the Beaufort-Killarney road, which was won by Toby Holmes of Yorkshire. Twohig, by finishing fifth on the stage, gained sufficient time to displace Chevalier and go top.

The afternoon stage from Killarney to Bantry via the Tunnel Road, a distance of 56 miles, was won by David O'Loughlin, who failed narrowly to win the time trial. Twohig suffered mechanical trouble on the stage when he was part of a chasing group in the last kilometre of the race. Rules of racing allow him the same time as the group he was in, thus permitting him to set out from Macroom today as race leader.