Barnes takes the plaudits at Bishopscourt
The weekend of cycling would start of with some epic racing at Bishopscourt Race Circuit. The first people to put their front wheel on the start line would be the U12’s. It would be Aaron Archibald who would produce a very strong ride and take the victory just ahead of Elijah McGinley but the battle for the last podium spot would see a very close sprint between Harry Irwin and Reuben Maitland with Harry nicking the last podium place. Zoe Lindsay who has been riding strongly after a great winter performance at the cyclocross would take 1st U12 female.
The U14’s set off in glorious sunshine and the race would be a very close affair with no one giving an inch. As the laps counted down it would end in a very close sprint for the podium places with Rowan Montgomery taking the honours followed by Adam Gilsenan and Conor Gallagher. The U14’s female race would see a very strong ride from Maia Simmons to hold off a very determined Rachel White with Maria McAllister completing the top three.
In the U16’s we would see a very competitive field and it would be a strong trio of riders that broke away to an expected sprint finish but a final surge from Kevin McCambridge would give him a decisive lead to take the win with Cathal Gallagher taking second and Shay Donley taking third. Ellie Kelso would put in a tremendous performance to take the win in the U16’s female race.
The hand cycling race would be won by Darrell Erwin who was in excellent form to see off his competition. This would be the taster before the Masters race which saw a large entry this year and althoughthey may be a bit older than your average racer it certainly hasnt slowed them down as they made easy work of the Bishopscourt circuit leaving a last gallop to the finish line with Colin McCloskey snatching the win from John Rafferty and our very own Colin McGready completing the podium.
The Ladies race would also be a close race with Laura Blair showing her sprinting qualities and pipping Julie Rea with Lisa Lamont completing the podium places.
A4 Race Winners
The A4 race saw a large pre-entry and several Dromara CC members hoping to snatch a win and several attempts were made to get a break away sorted but nothing would stick. The wind that cuts across the Bishopscourt Race Circuit had really picked up and made the back straight a very tough effort. With everyone getting them set up for the final sprint it was Lee Masters who made a break from the main group and leaving everyone looking at each other to see who would chase. This delay would be enough for him to create a winning move so that he could enjoy his victory. Behind the sprint for the final podium places saw Paul Slavin taking 2nd and Daniel McIlreavy third.
Harvey Barnes taking the Victory
The final race of the day is the A2/A3/Jun race and the quality of the field was exceptional as always. The race was lit up from the start as Jack Ferguson from the host club attempted a break away followed by Stevie Irvine following up but it would Matthew Armstrong who would finally get a move to stick as he went out on his own. With the wind picking up it was a move that was followed up with Luke McMullan making across the gap to help Matthew out. Harvey Barnes having won last year clearly saw this as a very dangerous break away and would make a huge effort to bridge the gap. Several efforts would be made from the group behind but with no luck getting the time gap to reduce leaving the three riders to battle over the podium positions. On the last corner Harvey Barnes made the decisive move to take the win for the second year in a row with Luke McMullan taking 2nd and Dromara CC’s Matthew Armstrong taking a very well deserved third place. The sprint for the minor places would see Jack Ferguson taking a career best 6th place and Aaron Watson collecting the best unplaced Junior place to make it a very successful race for the host club.
Many thanks to all the Dromara CC marshals helping run this race as well as the Bishopscourt staff for all their help.
Full Results can be found here
Photos can be found on Dromara CC facebook page (A4 Race) – (A2/A3/Jun Race) or Sharon McFarland Facebook Page here or on flickr here (A4 Race) – (A2/A3/Jun Race)
