Annaclone GP 2024

by Barry Kellett · March 7, 2024

By Eoghan McGuigan

We rolled out just before midday on Saturday 2nd March under some angry grey clouds that were a sign of things to come during the race. The 2024 road season kicked off with plenty of riders heading out with rain jackets and thick gloves. Dromara had riders in both races of the day: in the A3/A4 race, we had Ronnie, Anthony, and Alan Watson; and myself in the A1/A2 race.

Ronnie Smyth was all smiles before the race

The A2 group started off with a 3 minute head start over the A1s. A group of A1 riders quickly wiped out this advantage by the halfway point of the second lap. The pace picked up, and a select group of riders went off the front, including eventual winner Seth Dunwoody. A second move of chasers (including Darnell Moore and Kevin McCambridge) then went searching for the front of the race.

With this chasing group not too far ahead of us, I followed a move from Nathan Mullan to try and bridge across. As we were starting to get to work, Nathan unfortunately had a puncture, ending his race. Left alone in the wind, I slipped back into what remained of the bunch.

With two laps to go, the heavens opened, and we were quickly soaked through. I tried to ride off by myself to stay warm and test my legs. After a few accelerations, I was let go, and I took the bell lap alone. With about a third of a lap to go, I was starting to run out of legs when a Banbridge rider flew past and offered a wheel to jump on. We rolled in together to take the last two spots in the top 20.

In the A3/A4 race, all of our riders came home safely, with Alan Watson riding strongly to take 9th place and Ronnie placing inside the top 20. Thanks to Banbridge CC for a great opener to this year’s road calendar.