Perfect race conditions at Bishopscourt
Dromara Cycling Club hosted their open-road race at Bishopscourt Motor racing circuit which lies to the east of Downpatrick. This is the fourth year that the club have used this site which boasts a 2.1 mile circuit of wide smooth traffic free tarmac. In previous years the racing had been tough due to the wind sweeping across the open site but this year there was hardly any wind which made for some fast racing. In a change from last year the senior riders started first with the youth riders going later in the afternoon. First away were the Masters M50, Women and the hand-cyclists. In the Masters Race Feargal Magee (Apollo Cycling Team) took the sprint finish ahead of John Rafferty (Ards CC) with Chris McCann (Phoenix CC) third. Laura Wylie (Maryland Wheelers) won the Women’s race finishing just ahead of Meta Johnston (Team Madigan C.C.) with Lisa Lamont (mellowVELO Bicycle Cartel) third. Hand-cyclists Darrell Erwin (Ballymena Road Club) and Jim Corbett (Banbridge CC) were riding wheel to wheel for the whole race with Darrell pulling away to take the win. Jim was second with Ted McKibbin (Dromara Cycling Club) third.
Next up were the A4 men who had 15 laps of the circuit to do. Dwyer O’Neill (Velocity Road Club) was delighted with getting the win in the bunch sprint with Geoffrey Tate (West Down Wheelers) second and David Strain (Armagh City Cyclists) third. The biggest race of the day was for the A2/A3 race which had just under 60 riders doing the 15 laps. It was another sprint finish with Dale Walker (Phoenix CC) taking the chequered flag, Colm Quinn (Newry Wheelers CC) second and Craig Sweetman (Stamullen RC) third. The next 5 places went to Ian Weir (West Down Wheelers), Barry McKenna (Newry Wheelers CC), Andrew Hicks (Newry Wheelers CC), Mark McGinley (Four Masters CC). First unplaced A3 rider was Phil Doyle (Killinchy Cycling Club) with first unplaced Junior rider going to Padraig Rogan (Phoenix CC).
The first of the youth races was for the Under 12s who had 3 laps to complete. Seth Dunwoody (Shelbourne/Orchard CC) had an impressive win well clear of nearest rival Karl Rockett (Ards CC) with Caolan McKenna (Emyvale CC) completing the podium. Zoe Lindsay (Dromore CC) won the girls’ U12 race as she finished ahead of Aoife McKenna (Emyvale CC). The Under 14s started next and had 7 laps to complete. The line up just contained boys as no girls had turned up. Adam Gilsenan (Bohermeen CC) put on a very impressive performance to finish well clear of the bunch. The bunch sprint was won by Scott Roberts (McConvey Cycles) with Shea O’Kane (Phoenix CC) third. The final race of the day was for the Under 16s which had 10 boys and 4 girls on the starting line for their 10 lap race. Not to be outdone by the earlier impressive performance it was another Bohermeen CC rider, Jonathan Foster, who put on another impressive race to finish well clear of the other riders making this a race for second place. Second place went to Rowan Montgomery (Ballymoney CC) who managed to get away from Ciaran McGettigan (Errigal Cycling Club) who finished third. In the girls’ race Ellie Kelso (East Tyrone Cycling Club) was first with Maia Simmons (The Bike House CC) second and Katie Neill (Carn Wheelers) third.
Many thanks to all the volunteers from Dromara CC for hosting the race, to the circuit owners and managers for the use of the venue and their hospitality, and to all the riders who came along to support the event.
Commissaire: Mario Arranz
Report by Martin Grimley
Full results here
Photos
Sharon McFarland here
Reports by Belgium Project – here and here
Report photo by Belgium Project
