Conditions were perfect for Katesbridge race

This was another round of the road race series for the much sought after Imperial Cup. The riders started at Katesbridge, via The Diamond, Co-op at Rathfriland, Ballyroney, Moneyslane and back to Katesbridge.

The three laps made it just over 30 miles and as it is a hilly course it would test the fitness of the riders. Starting in the first group was J.McGuigan, I.Bradford, P.McKinstry, C.Hodgen, E.Cantley, T.McLoughlin, C.Weir and M.Cantly.

Five minutes later went N.Doyle, D.Hanna, R.Smyth, G.Magowan, C.Magowan, N.Fitzsimons, I.Walker, M.Alexander, J.Kernaghan, C.Adamson, D.Cartmill, K.McDonald, R.Mallon, B.McGrath, M.Pyper, M.Cantly and a further three minutes later went the scratch group of S.Baines, D.Weir, D.McDonald, P.Wilkinson, S.Welby and D.McKnight.

On the first of the three laps T.McLoughlin rode away on his own from the limit group. He is over on holiday and as the race organisers knew nothing about him he went off in the wrong group.

The second group under supervision from R.Smyth were going round in a very fast pace having recorded an average 25 mile an hour for the first lap.

The now broke up first group had no hope of staying away and were caught half way round lap two, but the biggest surprise was the scratch caught everyone shortly after that.

So the big group were going along nicely, some of the riders were not aware that T.McLoughlin was out in the lead, so at the start of the third lap the pace picked up with several riders getting shelved out the back.

With several attacks coming to nothing it was going to take a good rider to get away. D.McKnight made his move and it proved successful as he got well away.

With more attacks coming from the big bunch coming to nothing it left it open to a 20 man bunch sprint for third place as Davy couldn’t catch the leader.

With M.Pyper about 20 yards in front of M.Cantly ,who himself was about the same in front of the big group. C.Adamson went to the front and went as hard as he could.

With the big group on behind they swept pass the two riders just as they came unto the finishing straight.

And so the sprint to the finish was on and what a sprint it was with D.McDonald taking third, D.Weir fouth and G.Mowan fifth.

Club chairman Billy Maxwell says that it was a good night’s racing and no accidents. It was well marshalled by B.Wilkinson, Vincent McAfee, M.Maxwell, R.Tinsley, J.Phillips, R.Moffett, B.Maxwell and J.Cromie with D.Gamble doing lead car, so a big thank you from all the riders.

This week’s race takes the riders up to Warrenpoint for a 10 mile TT for the Poppy McKeown Memotial and next week’s race is an Australian Pursuit starting on the Rathfriland Road and finishing approximately 100 yards past Ballydown crossroads.