Enterprising Dromara team out with the best

Enterprising Dromara team out with the best

27 August 2014

A TEAM from Dromara CC recently took part in the prestigious Newry three-day stage race, in what was the race’s 27th year on the Cycling Ireland calendar.

Zak Hanna, Chris Magowan, Gavin Magowan and Nathan Mullan all arrived at the start on Friday night ready for what was going to be a tough weekend’s racing.

The first stage was 37 miles in and around Warrenpoint with the Dromara team active throughout the stage, creating and chasing breaks to keep the race together, and after picking up two breakaway riders in the last 200m, the bunch entered the finishing straight leaving Gavin Magowan to unleash his deadly kick.

He left the chasers behind to take the stage win and the Yellow Jersey, the first time a Dromara rider has ever achieved such a feat.

Stage 2 saw the riders tackle three laps of the Hilltown, Kilcoo, Rathfriland, Hilltown circuit, before turning right towards Spelga and then turning right towards Santa’s Cottage before descending down into Rostrevor then climbing back into Hilltown via the Reed Hall climb. The stage would total 52 miles.

Half way around the second lap an attack from David Montgomery (unattached) gave him a gap and this proved to be the winning move as he was never seen for the rest of the stage, crossing the line a deserving winner.

Gavin won the bunch gallop to take place fifth on the stage, sadly losing the yellow jersey to Montgomery who crossed the line 1:20 ahead of second-placed Paul Wilkinson of West Down Wheelers.

Stage 3 was a 4.2 mile time trial from the Narrow Water Castle on the Warrenpoint Carriageway to the roundabout at Newry. First Dromara rider off was Zak, followed by Chris, Nathan and Gavin.

Zak finished with a time of 9 minutes 12 seconds, Gavin was next with 8:53 followed by Nathan with 8:49. Chris was first Dromara rider on the stage placing 30th with 8:32.

After stage 3 on GC, Gavin was highest placed sitting 30th, two minutes off yellow. Nathan was sixth, Chris 74th and Zak 79th.

On Sunday the riders awoke to torrential rain beating against the windows, perfect for tackling the tough 72 miles that the race was due to undertake.

The team got to the start line ready for the stage start, which started with a neutralised section through Newry town centre, before the official start at Carnbane Industrial Estate.

The riders where heading towards Poyntzpass, then onto Scarva, Gilford and Banbridge.

After this it was out the Castlewellan Road towards Katesbridge, where there where sprint points on offer for those wanting points for the Green Jersey competition.

Approaching the first real test of the day, the steep ascent into Rathfriland, the race surprisingly stayed together with only a few riders going out the back.

Gavin, Zak and Nathan got up safely in the bunch. About two miles after leaving Rathfriland, Zak retired due to not being able to change gears or break due to cold hands.

With Gavin and Nathan left in the race, it was down into Newry where the riders turned left towards Mayobridge and Hilltown.

In the last 10 miles a late charge from Newry Wheelers’ Des Woods proved to be the winning move as he crossed the finish line at the MOT centre in Newry ahead of second-placed Mark Downey and third-placed place David Montgomery, who was the new winner of the 2014 edition of the Newry three-day.

Gavin sprinted to fourth place and Nathan was sixth on the stage, leaving Gavin to finish second overall in the points classification. Gavin finished 21st overall and Nathan 43rd overall.

• The Dromara clan were out in force at the Ulster TT. Keri Parton has been showing great form at these TTs and produced an excellent time of 24:52 to finish a close second behind Eileen Burns (24:13).

Lisa Millar took her new TT bike out to the Ulster championships and produced another super time of 27:30. Finally, Trevor Wright was flying the colours of Dromara CC as he produced a time of 25:03.

• Club League Round 21-Spa 10 mile TT. It was great to see 27 riders testing themselves over a tough course made harder by the headwind on the way back.

With Brendan Duff showing great performances over the past weeks and the last five miles requiring plenty of power there had been suggestion that Gavin Magowan might not get the fastest time.

As it turned out Gavin held on for the fastest time of the night at 23:56. Brendan wasn’t too far off at 24:16 and Ronnie Smyth had a great ride with a time of 24:44.

With all this competitiveness around the TTs it is great to see people smashing PBs and putting in great performances.

Roisin picked up full league points tonight with a super ride and showing that her time was more than 10mins quicker than her first TT.

• Congratulations to Barry Van Kellett and his wife, Niamh, on the birth of their baby daughter. Congratulations to Gary Bailie, who got married at the weekend.