Dromara also at Derry event

Dromara also at Derry event

2 November 2016

FOYLE CC put on a tremendous cyclocross event on Saturday which was supported by many Dromara members. 

Last year the weather had been horrendous with water everywhere and wind that would cut you in two. This year was at the other end of the scale with conditions dry and no wind to talk off.

Aoife Kellett junior was the first Dromara rider to take to the start line competing in the U-8 girls’ race. Aoife made the step up to U-8 racing look easy with a brilliant third rd place and setting the tone for Dromara.

James Armstrong was next up in the U-10 boys and recorded his best finish to date with an awesome seventh place and showing the secret training plan must be working. 

Ben Quigley battled hard in a competitive U-12 race to record a 14th place.

Ben Wilson tackled the U-16 race and held his own in a top quality field.

The ladies race saw Diane Wilson back on the bike and have a crack at this cyclocross nonsense. In a closely fought race she was unlucky not to catch third place to snatch a podium place, but ran out of laps recording an excellent 5th place.

The B race saw the return of Bryce Hetherington after his debut last week and confidence was high.

Brian Wilson, still smarting from getting beaten by Bryce last week, took off like a scalded cat at the start and managed to hold Bryce off and record a 8th place finish. 

Robert Davison in the M50 race started well, but a puncture led to him ping back and demanding his mechanic (son Peter) have his bike ready for him at the pits.

The last race of the day always see’s the best of the best take to the start line and this would be no different. 

Barry Kellett, who has been in great form this season was looking to see if he could finally take a win against Roger Aiken. 

Peter Davison has also been showing great form and was rewarded with his gridding on the front row. However, he was squeezed out at the start as he went for the holeshot, taking a few riders down with him.

This caused disarray and Peter was lucky to get up and get going without serious injury. Graham Smyth and Richard Cowan have been slugging it out on the cyclocross courses and this race was looking to be the same until Richard first got held up in the Peter Davison crash and then punctured mid lap leaving a long run to the pits.

Up at the sharp end of the race Barry Kellett was having a very close race with Graham Boyd, Roger Aiken and Glenn Kinning.

With the race looking like it was going to go down tot he wire, Roger made a determined break that he would hold that lead to the end and Barry would hold off a fast chasing Graham Boyd to take second place.

Graham had a great race and with Peter Davison getting back on and battling through the crowd it meant that Dromara CC would end up taking the team prize for the day. Awesome performance lads.