Road Race - extended Annahilt circuit (map)
9 June 2011
Round 11 of the Dromara Cycling Club's Thursday night league took place on the new Annahilt circuit that was due to be used for the club's open race on Saturday 11 June 2011. This was the first time this circuit had been used by the club as the roads on the 'old' circuit had fallen into a bad state after the winter. The new circuit is 15 miles long and goes from Annahilt into Ballynahinch then turns towards Lisburn before turning in at the Comber Road and then back to the Upper Ballynahinch Road and then past the Pheasant Inn. The start / finish tonight was near the garage beside the Pheasant.
Forty two signed onto this race, 26 from Dromara with 16 guests. The riders were split into 4 groups with just 3 riders in the first group away, Tommy Downey, Paul Gick and Raymund Martin. The second group left 6 minutes later and had 9 riders. The third group left 4 minutes later and also had 9 riders. Leaving 4 minutes behind this group was a group of around 20 riders. Unfortunately for Noel Gibson he missed his start and had to chase hard to try to catch the big group. First back to the timekeepers again were Raymund Martin and Tommy Downey. Paul Gick had been dropped from this group. Group 2 came through but they were well split up as well. Group 3 and 4 had merged but the riders were well stung out crossing the line to go into the second and final lap. The Group 3/4 caught the first two groups on this lap and coming around the corner was a sprint up the hill lead out by West Down Wheeler John Kernaghan with the club's Gavin Magowan just behind and rival Ronnie Smyth just behind Gavin. TVR's James MacFerran was fouth with Scott Daly (Banbridge CC) fifth then Anthony Quinn (Shimna Wheelers) in sixth.
In the end just 29 riders completed the two laps. The circuit was hillier than most had imagined. Well done to all the competitors and a big thanks to the timekeepers and marshals. Round 12 will be the 25 mile and 16 mile time trials on the Banbridge Road outside of Castlewellan next Thursday (16 June 2011).
Timekeepers: Phil O'Neill and John Clyde
Lead cars: Nigel Sudlow & Stephen Wallace
Marshals: Craig McDowell, Geoffrey Magowan, John Heaney, Johnny McBride, Massimo Manganaro, Neil Megarry, Neill Currie, Paul Jess, Philip Boyle and Philip Wilson
Report and photos: Martin Grimley
