Donegal man Paul Vaughan who joined Maryland Wheelers last season won this years Tour of the Mournes on Sunday 7th May 2006. The event attracted a large field of entrants with 130 riders signing-on for the 66-mile race.
The decisive moves began around Kilcoo when a group of nine managed to break from the main bunch. Paul proved himself to be the strong man on the day and went on to win after repeated attacks from the leading group. This was Paul’s first senior open race win and in doing so he edged out last years National Junior RR champion Michael Murray (Clann Eireann) and Ireland’s current top ranked junior Simon Williams (Orchard Wheelers). Veteran riders Sean Bracken (Usher IRC), Shaun Gray (Orchard Wheelers) and Brendan Graham (Terry Dolan R.T.) completed the top six.
I’m sure that this will be the start of bigger things for Paul and would expect that it will not be too long before Maryland Wheelers have another ‘1st’ Cat rider in it’s ranks.
Race results
1. Paul Vaughan (Maryland Wheelers)2-25-32
2. Michael Murray (Clann Eireann)
3. Simon Williams (Orchard Wheelers)
4. Sean Bracken (Usher IRC)
5. Shaun Gray (Orchard Wheelers)
6. Brendan Graham (Terry Dolan RT)
For a comprehensive race report and pictures please see