Wheelers compete in Annahilt after race is cancelled

With inform riders Paul Wilkinson (on holidays), Pete Savage and Paul McManus (triathalon) unavailable up stepped seven of the West Down Wheelers’ other riders who are showing good form this year.

Mark Alexander, John Kernaghan, Mervyn Cantly, Davy Cartmill, James Adair and, riding in their first ever open race, Ian and Allister Walker.

The West Down Riders were entered into the B race for the Ronnie Smyth Cup. This was five laps of the Annahilt circuit, a distance of approximately 44 miles.

With no big hills it was going to be a fast pace and that’s how it turned out but all the Wheelers were feeling comfortable in the big group and some were doing their bit at the front.

On lap 3 Ian Walker hit a big pothole which forced him to pull up at the line as his bike needed repairs and his race was over.

The rest of the Wheelers were still there going into the last lap, as was most of the group which would leave a big bunch sprint.

What an exciting finish to the race it proved to be with the big group visible up the big long straight to the finish.

Two riders had broke clear and in the big sprint all the Wheelers were giving their all to finish well up, with John Kernaghan finishing a very good seventh.

Well done to all the Wheelers who did the club proud and here’s hoping this spurs them on to take part in more open races.

Club President Derek gamble, who was out with his camera to cheer the boys on, says it was nice to see a good turnout of West down wheelers riders.

PORTRUSH TRIATHALON - On Sunday past West Down Wheelers riders Pete Savage and Paul McManus took part in a Triathalon.

This was an Olympic distance and part of the Decathalon series.

The guys performed very well and of 130 entries Pete was third and Paul 12th. Pete is never out of a top 10 placing while Paul is improving every race.

Next week’s race is a 10 mile TT on the Warrenpoint Road which should see a big turnout.