16 mile time trial (map)
7 July 2011
A damp evening at Hillsborough for Round 15 of Dromara Cycling Club's Thursday evening league. This was a 16 mile time trial from Grosvenor's Gate in Hillsborough to the turn in Ballynahinch close to Lord Moira Park. This was the second of the 16 mile time trials with a cup (Fine Food Distributors Trophy) to the club member with the fastest combined time.
Thirty-three riders braved the rain with the first rider, Brendan Duff, setting off just before 7 pm. One minute later Gary Bailie set off with Massimo Manganaro going one minute behind him and the remaining riders all had one minute gaps. Fastest on the night was the very welcome visitor, Sean Downey (Cotes D'Armor), who won bronze at the 4,000m team pursuit at last years Commonwealth games setting a time for this 16 mile distance of 33 minutes and 39 seconds. Next quickest was our own Ronnie Smyth with a time of 37m 29s, which was 29 seconds faster than his closest rival Gavin Magowan. Visitor Conor Grimes (Clann Eireann) had a bad start but recovered to finish in 38m 56s with another visitor Kevin McAlinden (Banbridge CC) just 5 seconds slower. Marcus Magowan finished in 39m 16s, just 11 seconds faster than his rival and name sake Chris Magowan. John Clyde was the only other rider to finish the distance in under 40 minutes.
The times set tonight were then calculated over a 10 mile distance and this was used to compare against the riders' average times. Biggest improver was Derek Hanna who, comparing like for like, went 2 minutes 23 seconds faster than his average and gains 40 points towards the club league. Next best improver was Noel Gibson (1m 37s), with John Clyde (1m 33s) third, Paul Jess (1m 32s) fourth and Stephen Heasley (1m 26s) fifth.
Ronnie Smyth won the trophy as his combined times for doing both the Ballynahinch to Hillsborough and then tonight's Hillsborough to Ballynahinch was the fastest overall. Gavin Magowan was second and Chris Magowan third. See table below for all 12 riders who did both rounds.
Well done to all riders and a big thanks to the timekeepers and marshals for standing about in the rain. Round 16 will be a 10 mile time trial on the Lurgan Road next Thursday (14 July 2011).
Timekeepers: Stephen Philips & Trevor Wright
Marshals: Andrew Wilson, John McGuigan, Rodney Stewart
Report and photos: Martin Grimley
