Mark Alexander wins the Maxwell Cup

The Maxwell Cup consists of four rounds of the popular Australian Pursuit series. Mark won three of the four rounds and his sixth place finish, plus the fact that he was the first Wheeler home last week gave him the win.

The 35 riders were split into three groups and separated by eight minutes. They started on the Rathfriland Road via Annaclone, the Co-op, Balllyroney, Moneyslane, Katesbridge to finish 100 yards past the Ballydown crossroads.

Billy Maxwell got the handicaps spot on but the long, hilly, tough course would catch the less fit out but nothing really changed for the first half of the race.

The hard working scratch had caught the very big second group by Moneyslane. The smaller limit group was still well out in front and trying really hard to stay away.

With about 25 riders in the chasing group and attack after attack driving the pace up it was going to make it difficult for the leaders to stay clear.

With several attempts from riders trying to break clear the big group had the leaders in sight at the corbet and the pace quickened again.

In the finishing straight they caught the leaders and so the sprint for the line was between the 30 remaining riders.

Coming up to the finish it was D Weir and R Smyth battling it out for the win but out of the group with an eye catching burst of speed was young Pete Lilley to cross over the line in first place.

Pete timed his run to perfection to show how well he has come on this year.

Darren was second and Ronnie third in what was the biggest sprint for the line this year.

Well done to all that finished in the group to make it another very good race with no accidents. The race consisted of riders from four local clubs with a good friendly competition and that's how it should be.

Race secretary Clive Adamson says, "I'm happy when most, if not everyone, goes home happy."

Next week race takes us back to the Warrenpoint Road for the start of the Outlook Shield handicap races consisting of three 10 mile TTs. Who will win? It is going to be very interesting.