Bishopscourt produces festival of racing with Ambrose taking the Main Race Victory
Did someone say it was summer time or was that a joke? When this race was planned the concern might of been with making sure everyone had their sun cream with them and plenty of fluids. I guess we should know better than to try and predict the weather and stick to what we can predict which was an awesome days racing.
Just before we get started I want to pass on a great thanks to the many club volunteers who took time out to manage the competitors, get them signed on, get there timing chips sorted and finally shout at the many cyclists to keep them going. Give yourself a pat on the back because you deserved it.
The first races of the day saw the young stars of the future set the standard of racing for the day ahead. The Under 12’s race saw a very close fight for the top 3 places with Odhran Doogan from Errigal CC taking the win with Darren Rafferty (Island Wheelers) and Rowan Montgomery (Ballymoney CC).
Ellie Kelso(East Tyrone CC) produced a storming ride to take the female under 14 trophy.
In the under 14 boys race Dromara CC’s Ben Wilson who has produced some excellent results on the mtb course had been tapering for this race by time keeping on the friday night for the club league. This proved to be a great decision as he produced quite a ride to take 4th place in a very competitive field. Shay Donley (Ballymoney CC) took the win with a clear win and certainly will be one to keep an eye on for the future. Ruari Grimes(CECC) took second just in front of Ciaran Dixon (Phoenix CC) who managed to hold off our own Ben Wilson.
The under 16’s race proved that I need more training because the speed they go at is starting to get frightening. In this race Dromara CC proved that we have a strong junior section with Matthew Gibson, Aaron Watson and Jack Ferguson representing the club. It was Aaron’s and Jack’s first road race and considering the performance that they both put in I am feeling very confident that we will see more of them in the future. The race split up early with the eventual top three working together to gap the others before a final sprint. It was Robbie Doherty(Ballymoney CC) that took the honours with Liam Wilson(Derrymore CT) and Matthew Gibson (Dromara CC) completing the top 3. In the girls Under 16’s Molly Mclarnon (NDCC) had a super ride in very tough conditions to take the trophy.
With the juniors racing finished it was the turn of the Ladies and Masters to test themselves in these very tricky conditions that seemed to change by the minute….although to be fair the cross wind never really changed in strength. The Masters race stayed together until the 6th lap when Geoff Garrett(Phoenix CC) made his decisive move and even with the NDCC train chasing him he managed to hold on for victory with Colm Mclaron (NDCC) and Michael Crowe (NDCC) completing the top 3.
In the ladies race we saw a great turn out of 12 competitors take to the start line with the race nip and tuck until the 8th lap when it looked like it was going to be a sprint finish but Jane Millar (Bann Wheelers) had other ideas as she made a decisive move that would prove to give her victory with Trudy Brown(VC Glendale) taking a well deserved second place ahead of Alwynne Shannon (Newry Wheelers).
The undercard for the day was the A4 race which saw a great showing from Dromara CC. With the rain making a quick showing and the strong wind it wasn’t a surprise to see everyone stay together. It wasn’t until one of the phoenix riders attacked around the 10th lap and over the next few laps a strong group of 10 riders formed what would turn out to be the winning move.
The A4 race were unlucky to be hid with a short rain burst which added an extra layer of difficulty. On the final lap it came down to a sprint to the line with Dale Walker (Phoenix CC) taking the victory followed by Barry Tinnelly (Newry Wheelers) and Nigel Watt (Bann Wheelers) completing the top 3.
With such a great display of racing in the A4’s the main race of the day (A2/A3 race) would have much to do to match it. Thankfully the rain stayed away although the strong crossind would cause havoc. The main race didn’t disappoint with the first attack of the day happening before the very first corner. James Ambrose(NDCC) and Alan Bingham(Cuchulainn CC) managed to form a great 2 up partnership and worked together superbly to increase the gap on the chasing field every lap. Lindsay Watson(Plushmtb) tried to bridge the gap on a few occasions but it was Paul Wilkinson (west down wheelers) and Emmet Vallely(Square Wheels CC) who managed to form a chasing duo just couldn’t quite match the front two.
In the final sprint to the line it was James Ambrose (NDCC) would would take the victory with an awesome performance from Alan Bingham(Cuchulainn CC) to take second. Paul Wilkinson (west down wheelers) managed to show his sprinting skills to take the last podium spot ahead of Emmet Vallely(Square Wheels CC).Lindsay Watson(Plushmtb) who tried all day finally managed to drop the group he was in and put a fantastic solo effort over the last two laps to take 5th place.
With the racing over and the DCC support staff all cleared up it was time to agree it had been a great event with the only improvement to organise better weather and less wind. Many thanks for all the competitors and marshals that made today a great success. As always many thanks to our very own Martin Grimley who keeps everyone in line for the day.
The full results can be found here with photos to be found here and here and also here
