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| Dromara CC Club
League - Round 1 2 up TT - Downpatrick Road (map) 1 April 2010 The opening round of Dromara Cycling Club's Thursday night league took place on 1 April 2010 at the Downpatrick Road just outside Ballynahinch. This was first opportunity for the club members to break out their summer road bikes and reveal how much preparation they had been doing over the winter months. The format of the evening was a '2-up' time trial where riders compete in a pair to set the fastest time over the 10 mile course. The first two events of the season are in this format and, as an extra incentive, the winners of the fastest combined time across both events receive the coveted '2-up' trophy which was sponsored by John Patterson of Versatile Windows. As in previous years this first event of the year was held the day before the international 4-day road race, The Tour of the North, which meant that the top riders in the club were resting up and not performing in the time trial but were present to help marshal the turn and assist the timekeeper. There was a big turn out this evening of 43 riders which compared to 30 last year. Among those who had paired up were last year's winners Alan and Dennis McMullan who were back this year to defend their title. They were not the only brothers to take part as regulars Gavin and Chris Magowan and Noel and Gary Gibson were eager to set good times. Another family pairing was Kevin and Robert McDonald, Robert out with the club for the first time. There were some more new faces out tonight with David McClurg introducing Lee Patterson to the event and Derek Hanna introducing Samuel McCracken. This was also the first time trial for newcomer Massimo Manganaro who paired up with Ian Proctor. Among the visitors was John Ruddell (Ards CC) who always does well at this events and a very strong pairing from Apollo CT, Anthony Haire and Davy Quinn who set the fastest time of the night of 24 minutes and 44 seconds. The Magowan brothers were less than a minute slower at 25:40 with the club's race secretary, Nigel Sudlow, normally found behind a video camera, setting the third fastest time of the night on a solo run. The great John Ruddell teamed up with Neil Fitzsimons and set the fourth fastest time and less than 4 seconds slower were MTBers Phil O'Neil and Ross Galway who had swapped their heavy mountain bikes for their summer road bikes. Sixth fastest on the night was Paul Mawhirt who had paired up with our newest road racer Simon Welby who has had a great opening season at the weekend road races. Also of note was the excellent time of 29:05 for our women's pairing Caroline Patterson and Mary Hunter and the time of 31:09 for our junior pairing of Zak Hanna and Christopher Weir. Many thanks to timekeepers Trevor Annett and Darren Weir and to all the marshals. The next round will take place on Thursday 8 April 2010 from the Spa lake.
YouTube video here Timekeepers: Trevor Annett and Darren Weir Marshall: Davy McKnight, Ronnie Smyth, Marcus Magowan, Damien McDonald Report: Martin Grimley Video: Brian McGrath |