Fabulous Frizzell is the first Wheeler home

Peter Savage (left) and Paul McManus (centre) of West Down Wheelers who took the two top placings in the Mourne triathlon at the weekend. Peter took first place, with Paul second. Congratulations to both.

With this being the holidays the club were hoping for at least 20 riders, but they were delighted when almost double that turned up.

This was another tough race to compete in. The riders started on the Rathfriland Road via Annaclone, Co-Op, Ballyroney, Moneyslane, Katesbridge, Corbet, finishing near Ballydown crossroads.

The 38 riders were split into four groups with the time scale from scratch to limit being 12 minutes.

The first three home in the Australian pursuit. Matthew McKinistry 3rd (left), David Frizell 1st (centre) and Paul Wilkinson 2nd.

This was always going to be a fast tough race as it is well into the racing season and most riders are as fit as they could possibly be.

With the two ladies, Andrea and Gail, going off first they were followed in the next group by mostly riders from their own club, with the next group consisting of A4 standard riders with the eight man scratch group last to go.

Nothing really changed on the first half of the course although the second group was halfed, with riders losing contact.

Then at Ballyroney the big third group caught the second group and then the two ladies, who were going really well.

Coming onto the Katesbridge straight, the scratch were just approximately 50 seconds behind the big lead group, but on the winding roads a rider who was now on his own and not his fault but a line of cars behind him meant the scratch were being held up, so this left the big group to contest the sprint, with Josh Daley taking the overall win.

But more importantly it was Dave Frizzell who was the 1st Wheeler home to take this round of the Imperial Cup with Paul Wilkinson 2nd and Matt McKinstry 3rd.

This was another hard fought race and well done to all who rode and finished it.

This week’s race is a 10 mile TT on the Castlewellan Road for the Outlook Shield. This is a H/Cap event so a good opportunity for any new rider to end the season with a trophy.

Next week’s race is the Last round of the Aussie/Pursuit Series for the John Maxwell Memorial Cup.

This is a relatively new course only used last year for first time, but the riders loved it so will be kept in the race programme.

Starting in Rathfriland opposite the road for Hilltown, the riders head for Castlewellan, Ballyward, Katesbridge, Corbet and Ballydown to finish.

A massive well done to Paul McManus and Peter Savage in the Mourne Triathlon Series at the weekend.

Peter with a 1st and Paul with a 2nd both have consistently been in the prizes this year. Also Eddy Cantley took on an Ironman competition. His finishing time was 14hrs 29 mins, which was fantastic. A massive well done to them all.