10 mile time trial, Downpatrick Road, Ballynahinch (map)
7 April 2011
Round 2 of Dromara Cycling Club's Thursday night league took place on the Downpatrick Road just outside Ballynahinch. It was another beautiful evening with blue skies and bright sunshine. Sign on took place up at the Millbrook Lodge and the club wish to thank the management for the use of the car park. Forty eight riders signed on for the second leg of the 2-up time trials across the 10 mile distance. The 'turn' was out the Annacloy Road which is a rolling circuit but thankfully it was less windy than last week.
First riders away were the youth pairing of Zak Hanna and Christopher Weir. Following 30 seconds later was Kyle Irvine and Raymund Martin with Colin Roy and Davy Young going off third. In total there were 26 'starts' but 4 of them were solo efforts. The final two away were Ronnie Smyth and Marcus Magowan. A short time later a call came in to say that one of the youth riders had fallen off. Young Chris had hit a stone and landed heavily. Tom McClean who was acting as marshal drove down to help. Those at the start line were concerned when an ambulance with flashing blue lights shot past heading in the direction of the riders but it turned out that ambulance was not for Christopher. Chris was however taken to Downpatrick hospital by Tom and Derek Hanna to be checked out. A number of the riders stopped to assist Chris and their help was much appreciated. Just 22 of the 26 'starts' then counted in the final times.
Fastest on the night were brothers Gavin and Chris Magowan who set a time of 22 minutes and 48 seconds. They were 9 seconds faster than Ronnie and Marcus who were over 1½ minutes quicker than solo rider Damien McDonald from Team Vision Racing (TVR). Neil Fitzsimons was also on his own and was just 4 seconds under the 25 minute mark. Seven seconds behind Neil were brother Noel and Gary Gibson who were six seconds ahead of solo rider Neill Currie. Mountainbikers Geoff Brown and Phil O'Neill showed they were just as strong on the road setting a time of 25m 17s just 10 seconds ahead of pairing Stephen Wallace and Michael Cassidy. Ryan Mallon and Rodney Stewart were just 2 seconds slower but were just 6 seconds faster than Stephen Heasley and newcomer Barry Kellett. Fastest mixed pair were Mary Hunter and Stephen Younge who set a time of 27 m 41 s.
A phone call later in the evening confirmed that Christopher was ok, nothing broken, shaken, bruised, cut but no stitches.
Many thanks to the timekeepers, all the marshals and to all the riders who stopped to assist with the accident. Across the two rounds of the 2-up time trials the fastest pairing was the Magowan brothers who win the Versatile Windows NI trophy for the second year in a row.
Round 3 is next Thursday (14 April 2011) and will the first of the individual 10 mile time trials which will be held on the Annahilt triangle. Meet at the Riverside Road / Ballynahinch Road opposite the Ballycreen Road just outside Ballynahinch. Sign on from 6:10 pm - first away at 6:30 pm.
Timekeeper: Philip Boyle & Simon Welby (TVR)
Marshals: Andrew Wilson, Craig McDowell and Tom McClean.
Report & photographs: Martin Grimley
