MARTIN Munroe of Western Lakes Cycling Club had his first international stage win in the prestigious Junior Tour of Ireland in the south-east at the weekend.

  Martin stormed home in the final stage into New Ross on Sunday, and clinched an outstanding position of 11th overall.

  The Junior Tour is an exceptionally high standard with the national teams from Holland, Belgium, South Africa, England, Scotland, Wales, and France all competing. The USA sent over two teams.

  And when you consider that last year’s winner of the Junior Tour of Ireland went on to win the World Junior Championships, you get an idea of the sort of level at which Martin was competing.

  On Sunday, he broke from the pack and at one stage was very close to taking the Yellow jersey. However, eventual winner Ian Stannard of England chased him down, but Martin and a Welsh rider jumped from the pack again.

  Martin pipped the Welsh rider in the sprint finish. He was the only Irish rider to win a stage, and it is a huge boost to his international career.

  He is now preparing for the Junior Tour of Wales and another major international event in Scotland in the next six weeks. Tuam rider Derek Burke and Castlebar’s Pat Clarke also rode in the event. Only 18 Irish riders were invited to take part, another illustration of the quality of the field.