Dromara cyclists open with a bang

Dromara cyclists open with a bang

1 March 2017

WHO mentioned the word spring with thoughts of daffodils blooming and the sun splitting the trees? 

I guess everyone forgot why it is so green in spring. Storm Ewan was on his way with many debating when it would arrive and crossing the fingers it would be late.

The road racers were heading to the John Haldane Memorial hosted by Newry Wheelers.

In the A1 race Nathan Mullan was making his racing comeback. The A2 race saw Ronnie Smyth and Gavin Magowan flying the flag for Dromara CC and in the A3 race Chris Magowan made his debut for the season with Stephen Irvine hoping to improve from last week’s top 10 finish. 

Finally, the A4 race had Darren McCann, Kevin Walker and Neil Armstrong taking part for Dromara.

The good news is that everyone got finished in one piece, but the lads in the A4 race were in the thick of things at the front of the field. Darren made several attempts to go clear and Kevin and Neil chased down many of the attacks. 

With the sprint on the cards, Kevin and Neil were unlucky not to pick up a top 10 place.

With spring in the air, it was time for the mountain bikers to get out and race around Ormeau Park as the XMTB Spring League Round 1 got underway. 

In the U-8 race Aoife Kellett proved she doesn’t mind a bit of rain or muck as she took third place. Benjamin Quigley took to the line in the U-12s and was unlucky not to make the top 10 as he claimed 12th place with conditions getting harder every lap. 

The B race saw Michael Foley and Gibson Chambers start in a crowd of almost 50 riders. Gibson, who has clearly been putting in the miles over the winter, burst into the lead on the first lap and was unlucky to lose that lead to the eventual winner. 

A great start to the season for Gibson with his second place. Michael Foley also put in a storming performance taking 19th on the day.

The A race would see Peter Davison looking much happier now he is back on his mountain bike rather than his CX bike and in a close race he managed to take third place on the podium with more to come this season.

The club had three ladies battling around Ormeau Park with Lisa Millar making her comeback after time off with injury. 

The conditions had been bad at the start, but heavy rain made the course super slippery and would test all the riders ability to keep upright. 

Lisa battled with Claire Oakley and Anne Duffy for the podium positions and when the riders finished it was Claire that would take the win with Lisa a superb second place and looking like she was delighted to get back out there again. 

Wannita Broome and Andra Ungureanu ended up battling each other over this tough course with Wannita taking the honours in fifth place and Andra in sixth. All in all, a great start to the MTB season for Dromara CC.