Watty in Yellow, Burns in Pink after Tour of Omagh
Stephen Watty (North Down CC) is the winner of the 2015 SPAR Tour of Omagh after an exciting fourth stage in the Sperrin Mountains. The self employed joiner finished third in the 44 miles stage behind stage winner Niall Morris (Phoenix CC) and Darren Guy (St. Teirnans CC) . Watty was the strongest of a five man break that forged ahead on the Gortin Glen climb with 8 miles to go. His team mated Adam Leach was also in the group and consolidated his King of the Hills lead during earlier climbs. Watty was first over the Category 1 Gortin climb, and the five leaders kept the pressure on during the descent and the final few miles back to Omagh. At the finish line they were forty seconds clear of a 25 strong group. Wattys third place gave him a four second bonus which left him winning the overall race by six seconds from Darren Guy (St Tiernans) who was second on the stage and moved up 7 positions to second overall. Lorcan Healy (un-attached) was fourth on the stage and ended up third overall while Adam Leach’s efforts gained him four places and a final overall placing of fourth. The final Stage winner Niall Morris (Phoenix CC) gained 29 positions from his strong ride for 5th overall.
Eileen Burns (Bann Valley RC) and Judith Russell (Phoenix) finished today’s stage in the second group just 41 seconds behind the stage winner. Burns (9th) took the overall win by 20 seconds from Russell (20th) with Sinnead Oakes (Nenagh) third at 3 mins 54 secconds.
Alan Campbell (North West CC) won the sprints competition and Lorcan Healy (unattached) won the combativity award.
The team race was won by Ratoath Wheelers with Harps CC second and a very impressive young team of Ballymoney CC riders in third. One hundred and thirty two riders started and 119 finished the race.
The new rae orgainsier Niall McEnhill thanked all the race sponsors, his Omagh Wheelers club and the general race orgainsiation. He paid special tribute to his mentors Stevie McKenna and club chairman Mark McAleer.
This is a great race for developing the up and coming riders and also for club level riders to experience the buzz of a stage race.
Report by Brendan Kirk
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