Gavin Magowan is fastest in Donaghcloney

ON Thursday July 22 Dromara Cycling Club held the 17th round of their club league this time at a new venue of the based around the village of Donaghcloney .
By The Newsroom
Published 26th Jul 2010, 09:52 BST
Updated 26th Jul 2010, 12:57 BST

The 4.65 mile circuit is used by other local clubs and several of the riders were already familiar with it. Sign on took place near the Dromore Road with 38 riders taking part, among them eight guests from other clubs.

This round of the league also counted towards both the club's youth and women's leagues and as such there were four youth riders and three women taking part. Club secretary Trevor Annett organised the riders into four groups with separate start times.

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The day's rain had ceased but the rain clouds were present to the east of the circuit but thankfully to the west the sky was clear and we were greeted with warm sunshine.

First group away left around 7:30 with seven riders including the four youth riders. The youth riders had to complete four laps while the others had to complete five.

The second group left three and a half minutes later with eight riders. The biggest group on the night was group three with 14 riders and they left three and a half minutes after group two.

Finally the fastest riders formed group four and these nine left three minutes after group three which was 10 minutes after group one. Noel Gibson mis-timed his warm up and missed the group four start time but went on to enjoy working hard for group three and did not contest the final lap.

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The two climbs on the course created a number of splits in the group with the youth riders having a great night leading in two groups at the front. By the final lap the groups had come together and it was Gavin Magowan who took the bunch sprint ahead of Simon Welby, Stevie Baines (East Antrim) and David McKnight.

Andrew McGibbon (BikePure) was fifth with Brian McGrath sixth, John Kernahan (West Down Wheelers) seventh and Tony Hare (Apollo CT) eighth.

In the women's race it was Val O'Neill who finished ahead of Caroline Patterson with Joanne McCallum, taking part in her first club event, pulling out with a knee injury sustained from the Maracycle she recently completed.

In the youth races it was Christopher Weir who finished ahead of Zak Hanna with Connor Mallon and Mark Cantley third and fourth respectively.

Many thanks to the timekeeper and all the marshals. Round 18 is next Thursday (29 July 2010) and will be a time trial at Annahilt starting at 6:50 pm.