Aussie Pursuit, Annahilt (map)
26 August 2010
Dromara Cycling Club hosted a reduced road race on Thursday 26 August 2010 around the Annahilt circuit in County Down. With the evenings getting shorter the riders were asked to show up earlier than usual to get the event started and finished while there was still enough light to cycle home after the event. Twenty eight riders took part this evening and they were formed into four groups with shorter time gaps as they only had two laps to complete.
Group 1 had seven riders including three youth riders. Group 2 was the smallest on the night with just four riders two of whom were the club's leading female riders Caroline Patterson and Mary Hunter who have been chosen to represent Ulster at this year's Ras na mBan which takes place in the middle of September. It was great to see Mary back on the bike after her nasty tumble at last weekend's open road race. Group 3 was the biggest group on the night with 10 members with the 7 strongest riders in Group 4.
By the end of the first lap the groups had almost come together with some fast speeds being set on the main Ballynahinch Road. Leading the bunch at the end of the race was Paul Jess who took his first win with seasoned rider Stephen Wallace on his wheel, Stephen having won at this course earlier in the year. Gary Gray was third with youth rider Zak Hanna finishing an excellent fourth. Gavin Magowan crossed the line just ahead of Simon Welby, these two riders are currently leading the club league. Jonathan McBride was 7th with Stephen Younge 8th.
Many thanks to all the timekeepers and marshals.
Timekeeper: Trevor Annett & Peter Jamison
Marshals: Paul Mawhirt, Brian Steele, Neill Currie, Brendan and Bernie Monahan, John Heaney, Craig McDowell and John McGuigan
Motorcycles and lead car: Stewart Moore, Ivan Bradford and Derek Hanna
Report and photos: Martin Grimley
