Harry Ferguson Memorial Cup, Road Race (map)
12 August 2010
Dromara Cycling Club held their annual Harry Ferguson Memorial Cup Road Race as part of their club league on 12th August 2010. The race started from the Memorial Garden on the Magheraconluce Road, Ballykeel and in attendance were members of the Harry Ferguson Celebration Committee. This race is now in its fourth year and has continued to grow in popularity with the race attracting 60 riders among them 14 guests from other clubs. The cyclists and spectators were greeted with a blustery evening with overcast skies. Riders were split into five groups with starting handicaps set by Trevor Annett, club secretary for Dromara Cycling Club.
Racing got underway just after 7 pm with the first group of 13 riders setting off among them 5 youth riders. Group 2, also with 13 riders, left 6 minutes later. Group 3 was the smallest group on the night with just 7 members and they left 3 minutes after Group 2. Group 4 was the biggest group with 18 riders and they set off 3 minutes behind Group 3. Finally the 9 strongest riders went off in Group 5 just 1½ minutes after Group 4 but 13½ behind Group 1 which equated to over one lap on the short 2.86 mile course. The groups were preceded by a motorcycle outrider 5 of whom were from the Ghostriders club.
The riders had 9 laps to complete and the pace was quick from the start. This early pace along with the strong winds and challenging climb up Rafferty's Hill took its toll on the riders with 23 of the 60 pulling out. Newcomer Neill McAvoy was placed in Group 1, as he had only been cycling for 4 weeks, but he had already learn enough about road racing and managed to hang on to finish first. Youth rider Christopher Weir was the first Dromara cyclist over the line having put in a great performance as he had to keep up to the pace set by race secretary Nigel Sudlow. Paul Wilkinson (West Down Wheelers) was third and got in before the big sprint between Simon Welby, Ronnie Smyth, Darren Weir and Banbridge CC youth sensation Mark Downey who finished in this order. Finishing on his own was Davy McKnight just before another big sprint finish between Gavin Magowan, Noel Gibson, Gary Gibson and Chris Magowan. In total just 19 riders finished all 9 laps.
In the four lap junior race Eoghan McGuigan finished first ahead of Mark Cantley.
After the race the Harry Ferguson Memorial Cup was presented to Christopher Weir by George Cromie of the Celebration Committee.
Many thanks to the timekeepers, the marshals, the motorbikers from Ghostriders and to the members of the Harry Ferguson Celebration Committee.
Timekeeper: Trevor Annett & Stephen Phillips
Marshals: Alan Reid, Andrew Wilson, Brendan Monaghan, Jim McMaster, John Clyde and Neill Currie. Stewart Moore on motorbike.
Report & photographs: Martin Grimley & Neill Currrie
