Road Race - Dromara Circuit (map)
10 May 2012
Dromara Cycling Club's Thursday night league continued on the 10th May with a road race around a new circuit for the league, but one that was used before, for the Ulster Youth Championships back in 2010. The riders met on the Dundrum Road in Dromara and the circuit took them into the village, along the Rathfriland Road out of the village, left onto the Castlewellan Road which was a steady climb up to the Crossgar Road. This lead to the sharp left onto the Dundrum Road again for a fast finish back to the 30 mile an hour signs. In total the course was 4.7 miles and the riders had 5 laps to complete. Thankfully the rain earlier in the day had stopped and the evening was cool with little wind.
There were only 4 groups on the road for this round, which was round 7 of the league. The first group had 4 riders, the second group started 3½ minutes later and had 10 riders including 2 juniors, Zak Hanna and Christopher Weir (TVR). The next group started 2½ minutes behind them and had 5 riders. The final group were meant to go off 3 minutes later but a simple administration issue had the "scratch" group of 11 riders starting 2½ minutes later. Thirty riders in total taking part and they were supported by 19 others who were either marshalling or timekeeping etc.
The big hill at the back of the circuit was a real challenge for the weaker riders with all the gaps between groups coming down after 1 lap. By the end of lap 2 there was less than a minute between groups. By the end of lap 3 there was one big mass of riders coming along the Dundrum Road with only a few stragglers coming behind them. There was a small breakaway at the end of lap 4 with 3 riders Ryan Calvert, Paul Mawhirt and Cathal Smyth (Phoenix CC) getting almost 10 seconds ahead of scratch. On the final lap there was a big gallop from the corner with some riders dangerously spread across the narrow road. At the line there was a clear winner Gavin Magowan with Aaron McGrady, Chris Magowan, Ryan Calvert, Paul Mawhirt and Ronnie Smyth closely behind in that order.
Further back it was great to see bunch sprints from the other riders with Bryce Hetherington leading his group home and Matthew McKinstry (West Down Wheelers) leading his group. Just 3 retired from the race.
Well done to all riders and many thanks to the timekeepers and to the marshals for keeping the riders safe.
Next Thursday night (17 May 2012) will be the first of the set of 16 mile time trials with this round starting from Hillsborough and going to Ballynahinch then back to Hillsborough. See website for details (www.dromaracc.co.uk).
Timekeepers: Colin Roy, Alwynne Shannon, and Stephen Wallace
Marshals: Davy Robb, Gary Bailie, John Clyde, John Heaney, John McGuigan, Malcolm MacDonald, Marty McAnulty, Massimo Manganaro, Noel Gibson & son, Raymund Martin, Stephen Younge, Tommy Downey and Trevor Wright
Photographs & report: Martin Grimley
