Ronnie rockets to time trial success

Ronnie rockets to time trial success

22 May 2013

TWENTY-EIGHT cyclists gathered on the Downpatrick Road outside Ballynahinch last Thursday evening for a ten-mile time trial which was round seven of Dromara Cycling Club’s Summer League.

The weather on the evening was near perfect for time trialling, with the skies blue and the warm sun shining down on the riders who were happy to see signs of summer starting to show.

The course started about 100 metres from the junction on the Downpatrick Road heading into Ballynahinch, then headed straight for Annacloy to turn for home around the island in the middle of the road.

The course is popular for its rolling roads and excellent surface, with a fast run down into Annacloy before turning and facing a long climb for about one mile before the roads level out towards home.

Timekeepers, Peter Bryson and David Young, got the riders underway just after 7pm, assisted by Kevin Walker who acted as holder for the riders about to start.

The riders at the start were set off at one minute intervals before the riders at the end were set off at 30 second intervals, and it wasn’t long before they were all beginning to arrive at the finish.

Ronnie Smyth came first in a time of 24:23 with Tommy Quinn second in a time of 24:28. Neil Fitzsimons was third with 25:30, with the top six rounded off by Barry Van Kellett in 4th, Trevor Wright in 5th and Conor Rice in 6th.

Next round of the club league is tomorrow night, a ten time trial starting at the Spa Lake. See the message board on our website at www.dromaracc.co.uk.

We hope to see a big crowd in attendance.

If you’re on Facebook visit our group at Dromara Cycling Club, or follow us on Twitter (@dromaracc).

• Well done to Tommy Downey who took part in the Ras Loughiel 2-day race at the weekend, hosted by Duffin Transport.

This was an A4 only event and Tommy rode strong all weekend to finish high up in the overall standings on undulating roads. Well done Tommy.

Nathan Mullan took part in the A3 support race which was help on the final day of the 2-day race, and he rode to a fine 7th place after torrential rain hampered both races on the Saturday.

Well done also to Barry Van Kellett who finished 2nd last weekend in the third round of the Irish XC NPS at Ticknock in Dublin.