Write a commentA strong Newry Wheelers team, Andrew Bye (A3), Mark McKinley (A3), Sean Featherstone (A2), Kevin Lynch (A2) and Des Woods (A1) lined up for the John Moore Memorial Road Race last weekend. The race promoted by Castlereagh Cycling Club. It was a 55 mile race over 8 laps of a rolling circuit near Carryduff started using a handicap format with the A3 group riders being given a 3 minute headstart on the A1/2 riders. Alwynne Shannon flew the flag for Newry Wheelers in the women’s 4 lap race, she was one of 17 women racing on the day.
Newry Wheelers featured well in race and had three riders (Andrew, Mark and Des) in the lead group. Good teamwork enabled Andrew and another rider, Craig McAuley (Roe Valley) to escape that group with 17 miles to go, It looked like they might contest the finish between them but a fast finishing David Hamilton (North Down CC) got across to these two in the last mile and then won the sprint. Andrew finished second, no win this week, but still a good day for the team with both Mark (8th) and Des (10th) finishing in the top 10.
A1/2/3 Race Results 1 – David Hamilton (North Down CC) 2 – Andrew Bye (Newry Wheelers) 3 – Craig McAuley (Roe Valley) 4 – James Curry (Banbridge CC) 5 – Angus Fyfe (Tomac CC) 6 – David Watson (North Down CC) 7 – Mark McKinley (Newry Wheelers) 8 – Christopher McGlinchey (Chain Reaction Cycles) 9 – Sean McIntyre (Orchard CC / Shelbourne Motors) 10 – Des Woods (Newry Wheelers)
Cycleways Cup - Navan
The Cycleways Cup took place on Sunday in Navan in horrendous weather conditions. Newry Wheelers Garreth McCullough (A1) and junior riders Cathal Clarke & Conor Curran lined up. An early mechanical ended any hopes for Gareth McCullough in his first race of the season. U23’s Cathal Clarke and Conor Curran battled the elements and dug in attacking well throughout and maintained a presence in the action finishing in the bunch.
