Write a commentA strong Newry Wheelers team lined up for the Tour of Ards on Saturday past.
A chilly 6 degrees and usual coastal winds would make for an entertaining race, as usual well organised and promoted by Ards Cycling Club. With 110km to cover at an average pace of 27mph this Local Spring Classic did not disappoint in terms of pace or class.
Local riders led by Drew McKinley, Andrew Hicks, Jude Sands, Des Woods, Kevin Lynch, Mark McKinley, and Sean Featherstone took to the line and rode well on behalf of the club. This aggressive race suited the ‘On form’ Mark McKinley who was involved in early attempts to break away.
Andrew Hicks making his debut in this race handled the pace and efforts well, as did the reliable strong men Des Woods and Kevin Lynch. Drew McKinley continues to build his fitness and form and had a good day marshalling his troops. His work wouldn't end here as himself and Mark were heavily involved in the Wheelers Sportive the very next day. Well done for that also lads.
The early breakaway attempts were well covered from the Wheelers team with Mark McKinley and Sean Featherstone managing to manoeuvre into a strong break away at the 15 mile mark.
The two Newry riders worked well together and with the other break away hopefuls managed to engineer a lead over the bunch to 2 minutes at one stage. It was with 20 miles to go though that the newly formed Team ASEA's Damien Shaw attacked this lead group and managed to hold off the break always attempts, and solo to victory. With two wheelers left in this six man group they continued to work well in the hope of holding off the 80 strong bunch in the final kilometres.
Support from Barry Monaghan and Noel McKinley in the team car enabled information to be communicated, and eventually the realisation that a break could stay away was a possibility. In the final kilometres the break away began to attack each other with the two Newry hopefuls collecting a well deserved 4th (Mark) and 5th (Sean). This is quite an achievement among a field of some of Irelands top cyclists.
The remaining wheelers did a sterling job following and foiling any other potential attacks rolled in to the finish safely and successfully. Next week’s Wallace Caldwell in Ballymena should make interesting racing with the local team being well represented once more.
Commenting on the race, Marian Lamb from Cycling Ulster said ‘McKinley is making a comeback after having been off the bike for most of last year. However his results and determination today as well as at the McCann Cup prove that he is on the rise again’
