Jonny Maxwell takes Aussie Pursuit for the West Down Wheelers

Starting on the Castlewellan Road to the Castlewellan roundabout and back, a total of 31 miles, the 30 riders from the local clubs were split into five groups.

This had the makings of a cracker of a race, with super weather, a super course, and a super turnout.

The A3 group caught the A4s and they got organised to try and hold off the scratch group. And that’s what they did. They were matching the pace of the scratch group and holding their own.

Some riders were getting shelved out of the big A3 A4 group but the leaders were holding their own and when they came into view up the straight to Ballydown they were still way out in front.

It was a sprint between the four of them, with Ray Tinsley taking a deserved win from young Shenna McKivergan with Brando Douglas and Jonny Maxwell.

Jonny Maxwell was the 1st Wheeler home, so takes this round of the Aussie / Pursuit series, with Matt McKinstry 2nd and Mark Alexander 3rd.

There were some very good performances from the Wheelers and lately Paul, Matt, Mark, John and D.Friz have been getting the praise. However, one rider who is starting to show that he means business is Allister MCourt who rode an excellent race.

A rider who deserves a special mention for she epitomises what you need to do well at cycle racing and that’s Bernie Monaghan whose never say die attitude to the end caught the eye.

On Thursday night four riders from West Down Wheelers took part in a club Road Race run by Dromara CC, held on the very tough Tommy Given Course at Annihilt.

Paul, Matt, Allister and John Clyde were riding well.

Last weekend six riders from West Down Wheelers headed to Omagh to compete in Caldwell Cycles Road Race.

The pick of the Wheelers were Andy with a superb 7th, and Matt with a superb 9th.

Dave and Allister both rode well to finish comfortable in the bunch. Dave suffered mechanical failure a mile from the finish.

The guys waited to see how Darren and Paul did in their race, and what a day it turned out Paul with a fantastic 7th place to round off a super week for the Wheelers

Another three points and Paul will be an A1.