Post by frostythesnowman on Mar 2, 2006 13:21:18 GMT 1
On Sunday 26th February the first open road race of the season, the John Haldane Memorial, organised by Newry Wheels. Three Dromara riders, Darren Weir, David McKnight and Stephen Baines, taking part in their first ever race went nervously to the start. The field of over 120 riders were split into two groups with the scratch group having a deficit of seven minutes. The course was 4 laps of a very undulating 11 mile circuit around Hilltown. Starting in Hilltown heading for Castlewelln, turning left for Rathfriland and left again making the circuit for Hilltown. The conditions were breezy and bitterly cold, but that did not deminish anybody enthisusim.
On the second lap inexperience lead stephen to the front of the pack and after a few miles of extreme effort, found he was unable to finish the race. David and Darren ketp their powder dry, even closing down the odd escapee on the last lap. David was brought down in a grop crash about a mile from the finsih line and with the bike damaged was unable to finish, but no real injures.
The race to the line was won by Ryan Connor , outsprinting Connor Murphy and Andrew Hunter leading in the greatly reduced pack. Darren finished brillantly in the top twenty, although he was forced onto the footpath in the final sprint by some excessive jostling.
All three Dromara riders greatly enjoyed the race, have learned lessons and are looking forward to Banbridge Cycling clubs race on Saturday 4th March on the Annaclone circuit, where weather permitting they will be joined by Ronnie Smyth and Bob Patterson.
On the second lap inexperience lead stephen to the front of the pack and after a few miles of extreme effort, found he was unable to finish the race. David and Darren ketp their powder dry, even closing down the odd escapee on the last lap. David was brought down in a grop crash about a mile from the finsih line and with the bike damaged was unable to finish, but no real injures.
The race to the line was won by Ryan Connor , outsprinting Connor Murphy and Andrew Hunter leading in the greatly reduced pack. Darren finished brillantly in the top twenty, although he was forced onto the footpath in the final sprint by some excessive jostling.
All three Dromara riders greatly enjoyed the race, have learned lessons and are looking forward to Banbridge Cycling clubs race on Saturday 4th March on the Annaclone circuit, where weather permitting they will be joined by Ronnie Smyth and Bob Patterson.
