Kernaghan is crowned West Down Wheelers road race champion

He won it after an exciting battle throughout the season with Mark Alexander being the most improved rider this year.

The 30 riders were split into four groups separated by seven minutes. The first group consisted of E Cantly, M Cantly (junior) and G Burns (Lady).

Three minutes later went N Doyle (schoolboy), N McAvoy, J Philips, D Cartmill and N Sudlow. A further two minutes later went M Alexander, J Kernaghan, I Walker, M Cantly, A Walker, M McKnight, D White, J Adair, B McGrath, I Bradford, S Wallace, K McDonald, D Weir, C Magowan, M Pyper, J Gilpin and G Rodgers.

The scratch, a further two minutes behind them, consisted of P Wilkinson, S Baines, D McDonald and R Smyth.

They started at Katesbridge Park via the Diamond, Rathfriland, Ballyroney and back to the start/finish line at Katesbridge. Having to go up Rathfriland Hill two times was always going to cause splits in the groups and when groups are split up then it becomes harder for them to keep the pace up.

And that's just what happened - all the groups were gaining on the one in front of them but N Doyle and N Sudlow from the second group had caught the leaders and were now out in front.

Group three had caught the remainder of the first and second groups but the scratch were also bearing down on them.

At the top of Rathfriland Hill on the second and last lap they were all together except for the leaders, N Doyle and N Sudlow.

The chase was now on and some riders were getting shelved out the back and forming their own group. Coming into Ballyroney the leaders were still out in front, doing all they could to stay away.

The big chasing group were flying into Ballyroney, doing all they could to catch them with a smaller group who had now recovered.

Coming down onto the finishing straight it was clear the leaders were not going to be caught although they were now in view, but they held out to the finish with West Down's Noel Doyle taking a very good win with Dromara's Nigel Sudlow second.

S Baines was third when he out sprinted the rest of the big group; John Kernaghan was fourth and the first Wheeler home; Mark Alexander was fifth and Ian Walker sixth.

This was another good race to watch on a very tough course so well done to all who finished it, especially Gillian Burns on her first road race. To finish this very tough course took guts.

Another rider who impressed was N McAvoy. He surely would be one to benefit from a good Winter's training.

Anyone wishing to join the Wheelers should do so now as the season is nearly over. The club runs will ease off for a month or two. To find out more log onto www.westdownwheelers.com.

Dave Kane League - Mark Alexander had another superb ride on Thursday night up at Warrenpoint. He recorded a 22.57 his third win of the year and has proved this year he is one of the fastest in the club. Ian Walker had a 24, as did Davy Cartmill, Paul McKinstry had a 25 and Noel Doyle a 26 in what can only be described as poor conditions with heavy rain.