Watson and Wilson taking the podiums
Watson shines at Annaclone
Saturday saw the Road Racing season begin with the Annaclone GP. Promoted by Banbridge CC and supported by Travers Engineering everything was in place for a great days racing. Well, almost everything. A year ago the race was unable to run due to heavy snow but this year it was driving rain and gale force winds that would test the riders grit and grit there was aplenty from the country roads. Dromara riders where out in force for the main race, all well rested from their winter break. The main race was a handicapped A1, A2 & A3 race, 48miles. First off it was the A3’s and Aaron Watson made an early solo break in the first lap only to be caught late in the second lap after the A2 & A3 groups merged. There was plenty of wheel to wheels action however it was halfway through the sixth lap that the A1’s passed the main group. It was Aaron Watson who would show his true strength by hanging on to the finish to take the honours of the first A3 rider home and well up in the overall position. A further four Dromara riders finished in the main group. Aarons Watson’s performance sets the tone of things to come from this young rider.
Watson shines again at Phoenix GP
Sunday would again see Dromara riders out in force for the customary second race of the year.
In the A3 race, Aaron Watson would again show his true form by taking a brilliant third in the final sprint only seconds behind winner Thomas Creighton of McConvey Cycles. David Henderson would finish in the bunch with a solid performance.
Gavin Magowan would finish well in the bunch in the A2 race on a weekend of back to back racing for this rider.
Next week, on Sunday the racing moves to Newry for the Haldane Memorial, promoted by Newry Wheelers.
Neil
Wilson starts 2019 on the podium
On Sunday at Ormeau Park XMtb put on a pre-season XC race just to check out who has really been training over the winter and who has just been talking about training. The first of the Dromara CC riders to put their tyre on the start line was young Eoin Foley who would battle around a tough and muddy course taking 19th place in a very competitive field of U8’s. James Armstrong would be next up in the Under 12’s and he would prove a tough competitor in a tight race taking 5th place. Mick Foley managed to sneak into the
The big race of the day was of course the A race and the juniors. Peter Davison would prove it doesn’t matter what bike you give him he can wreck it with ease. It would be a disappointing end with him pushing for a podium spot. The good news being that Robert Davison can claim a famous victory over his son taking a top 10 spot in the process. The juniors would see a very close race with Ben Wilson and Andrew Gordon battling for the final podium spot. With two laps to go Andrew struck out in front but Dromara’s Ben Wilson knows that the important time to be in front is when you cross the line. He put in a tremendous last lap snatch 3rd place – quite a start to the season.
Many thanks to Neil A for the road report and feel free to pop your own report on facebook or use the web contact form. Looks like the racing season has started and Dromara CC are right at the sharp end.
