Gavin comes out on top of field of 200 at local GP

Last Saturday just over 200 cyclists decended on the village of Katesbridge to compete in the tough Katesbridge GP.
By The Newsroom
Published 27th May 2014, 18:54 BST
Gavin Magowan (Dromara CC), winner of the senior event, receiving his trophy from Chairperson of Banbridge District Council, Councillor Olive Mercer. Also pictured is chairman of the West Down Wheelers, Billy Maxwell.Gavin Magowan (Dromara CC), winner of the senior event, receiving his trophy from Chairperson of Banbridge District Council, Councillor Olive Mercer. Also pictured is chairman of the West Down Wheelers, Billy Maxwell.
Gavin Magowan (Dromara CC), winner of the senior event, receiving his trophy from Chairperson of Banbridge District Council, Councillor Olive Mercer. Also pictured is chairman of the West Down Wheelers, Billy Maxwell.

There were three races on the day, A2s and 3s, A4s and over 50s and Ladies.

What a day of racing it was. The A4s had five laps of Katesbridge, Rathfriland, Moneyslane circuit, the A2s and 3s had six laps of the same circuit and over 50s and Ladies did three laps.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In the big race, the Wheelers had their top riders Paul Wilkinson and Darren Lynas and they didn’t disappoint as Darren ‘Muscles’ Lynas took a superb second place.

This was a class result for Darren in what is a very tough race, Paul once again cramping at wrong time. That’s how fast it was with attack after attack.

In the A4s, Clive Adamson and Andy Hodgen both finished in the sprint finnish and Matt Mckinstry crashed out but he should be ok. John and Allister found the hilly course tough.

The Wheelers have pulled off another very well run, popular race only for a couple of crashes to ruin what would have an excellent day for the Wheelers.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

There are some people who deserve a big thank-you for making the day the success it was - Paul McManus and Derek Gamble for doing lead cars, Will Maxwell and Richie Moffatt for taking commissares round, Mark Alexander for Motor Bike Marshall, Bertie and all his band of Marshalls, John, Karl, Noel, Eddy and Dee, Ian, Vincent, Barbara, Geoff, and Billy (hopefully that’s them all), commissaires who both stepped in at last minute Ernie Hall and Brendan Kirk, Barbara and Dee for the refreshments after race, Bronagh, Sammy and Steven for photos, PSNI for motorbikes and St John’s Ambulance.

Without all these helpers, the Wheelers could’nt run a race so big big thanks to them and also PSNI’s Allister Cambell, whose help in getting this race run was first class.

Next week’s race is a new course for another Australian Pursuit starting in Rathfriland going to Castlewellan and finishing at Ballydown.

Also the Eric Maxwell Mem is comming up on the Warrenpoint Road in a few weeks.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The West Down Wheelers are a racing club with not only first class open races but first class club racing. Anyone looking to race and not in a club then get in touch, they have five Road Races, five Australian Pursuits and plenty of TTs and circuit TTs with anything from 30 T0 40 taking part and 16 trophies up for grabs.

Katesbridge GP Results

1 Gavin Magowan DCC

2 Darren Lynas WDW

3 Cahal Clarke Newry

A4s

1 Alan Hall TVR

2 ALan Curran TVR

3 0 Byrne

Masters

1 Brian Hannon Phoenix CC

2 B McCAllister Glenn CC

3 S Boyle Ballymoney CC

Ladies

1 A Dalton DID

2 J Rea Phoenix

3 R Mitchell North Down