JO CHEVALIER of the Belgium team led the way at the end of the opening stage of the Credit Union Junior Tour of Ireland yesterday, 64 miles from Limerick to Tralee. A group of six sprinted it out at the finish and Chevalier won from Barry Twohig of the Ireland selection with another Belgian, Kristof Freyne third.

Chevalier was a late replacement for Mike Guilliams and he has the first leader's jersey heading for Killorglin today.

There were 81 starters and the first prime at Patrickswell went to Paul O'Callaghan.

The decisive split occurred with six miles left as Chevalier, Twohig, Freyne, Simon Kelly, Tom Barrass (Yorkshire) and Ross Muir (Scotland) gained 53 seconds. They had the finish between them with Chevalier leading the final charge.