Welby surprises everyone at Annahilt

This circuit has only just been introduced this year as a time trial circuit and as before the start took place at the bottom of the Ballycreen Road. The riders had to travel along the Ballycreen Road/Ballykeel Road, turn left onto the Glebe Road, then left onto the Ballynahinch Road straight into Ballynahinch before turning left up the Magheraknock Road to the finish.

There were 24 riders competing tonight with one guest, two youth, and three women including Anne Wilson who tried our road race at Annahilt last year.

First away was Zak Hanna who was followed 30 seconds later by Anne. The first 11 riders had 30 second gaps and the remaining had one minute gaps. Last rider away was Marcus Magowan.

It was a clear evening with little wind and it was not long before the riders started arriving at the Magheraknock Road. First back was Gavin Magowan who finished just three seconds inside of 24 minutes.

The fastest rider on the night was expected to be Ronnie Smith but he was beaten by over 30 seconds by Simon Welby who surprised himself at how well he had ridden (22m 57s). Third and fourth fastest were brothers Gavin and Chris Magowan with Gavin just 19 seconds faster than Chris tonight.

It was another Magowan, Marcus (not related), who finished fourth fastest in a time of 24m 35s. Fastest women tonight was Caroline Patterson and fastest youth rider was Zak Hanna.

Comparing tonight's time to the average times set by the individuals over the same distance and it was clear that almost all riders had improved on their average but it was Stephen Younge who had the biggest difference and he took maximum points (40) for this round.

Mary Hunter had the second largest difference in average times and Simon Welby was third.

Many thanks to the timekeeper and all the marshals. Round 19 is next Thursday (5 August 2010) and will be a 10 mile time trial at Spa starting at 6.50 pm.