DROMARA Cycling Club had 16 members compete in the Lakeland Grand Prix in Enniskillen at the weekend.
Over 180 riders signed on for the four categories with Gavin Magowan, Derek Hanna, and Tony Quinn going in the A3 category, Chris Magowan, Rodney Stewart, Ryan Mallon, Gary Gray, Ivan Bradford, David Chambers, Barry Van Kellett, Paul Mawhirt, Phil O’Neill and John McGuigan competing in the A4 category. Mike Barton was the sole Dromara representative in the over 50s race.
First category home was the A3 race which had a break in the peloton with five riders edging away to form a small group of five riders, with Tony Quinn in the middle of it all, racing for first place.
In the end it was Gary Jeffers of East Tyrone with Tony coming in safely in fifth place after a blistering ride over the mountain to stay with the lead group.
In the main bunch finish Gavin Magowan finished just outside the top 10 with Derek Hanna coming in just after the main bunch.
In the A4 race it came down to a sprint finish for first place and Dromara jerseys could be seen in every part of the bunch, and out came Phil O’Neill who took the sprint for second place, with the next Dromara riders, Chris Magowan and Rodney Stewart, finishing inside the top 10, with the other riders finishing well up in the bunch.
In the over 50s race Mike Barton finished in a group of other racers in what was first ever road race, and what a race to begin at. Congratulations to Rodney Stewart who finished second last week in the Bann Valley Classic A4 race, getting stronger every week with a win and an upgrade not too far away.
Thursday night past saw round 4 of the club’s popular Summer League take place on the Anahilt circuit, a 10 mile TT starting at the flower nursery on the Ballynahinch road, then onto the Ballycreen road towards the Glebe road to Anahilt and then onto Ballynahinch to finish below McVeigh Accident Repair Centre.
Forty-five riders signed on ready for 10 miles of pain with the weather being kind with the sun shining and a slight breeze blowing.
Gavin Magowan set the fastest time of 23 minutes and 15 seconds, ahead of Ronnie Smyth who set a time of 23:27 with Rodney Stewart in third with 23:38.
Thanks to the marshals and timekeepers who helped out on the night and to Martin Grimley for checking times and snapping up photographs.
Next round is this Thursday night coming with a road race on the Maze/Flatfields circuit, with racing starting at 7pm. Keep an eye on the club website (www.dromaracc.co.uk) and check the message board for updates.
Fifteen MTB riders from Dromara travelled up to Ballykelly Forest in Limavady to compete in the first round of the Ulster XC MTB League.
With this course not being used in over 10 years it was time for it to make its return onto the racing scene with Strabane/Lifford CC the host.
All riders finished their respective races with special mentions going to mother and son duo Diane and Ben Wilson who won their race categories, with Diane winning the senior 3 women’s race and Ben winning the U-10 category.
On Sunday, Cuchulainn Cycling Club are holding the second round of the Irish Mountain Bike National Points Series in Bellurgan Park near Carlingford, and Dromara riders will be travelling down to the race. Once again check the website and message board for updates.