West Down Wheelers get their season on the road for 2015

West Down Wheelers got their season on the road last week with their first race of the season, won, not unexpectedly, by Paul Wilkinson.
All smiles after the opening time trial are members of the West Down Wheelers. From left to right: Darren Lindsay, Andrew Hodgen, Mark Alexander, Dorothy Cantley, John Kernaghan, David Frizell, Jonathan Maxwell, Alistair McCourt, John Clyde, Karl Wells, Matthew McKinistry and Paul Wilkinson.All smiles after the opening time trial are members of the West Down Wheelers. From left to right: Darren Lindsay, Andrew Hodgen, Mark Alexander, Dorothy Cantley, John Kernaghan, David Frizell, Jonathan Maxwell, Alistair McCourt, John Clyde, Karl Wells, Matthew McKinistry and Paul Wilkinson.
All smiles after the opening time trial are members of the West Down Wheelers. From left to right: Darren Lindsay, Andrew Hodgen, Mark Alexander, Dorothy Cantley, John Kernaghan, David Frizell, Jonathan Maxwell, Alistair McCourt, John Clyde, Karl Wells, Matthew McKinistry and Paul Wilkinson.

He came out on top of the 10 mile TT on the Rathfriland Road by overcoming a field of 28 riders.

Among those, the Wheelers were pleased to see some of the local clubs supporting the race once again.

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The conditions on the night were cold with a stiff breeze out but Wilkinson warmed things up with his winning display, followed home by Darren Lynas.

They deserved the big well done the received at the finish line as they were the only two Wheelers to complete a 23 minute ride. Both will also be riding in the Big Stage Race at the start of May for the Mid Ulster Team in The Tour Of Ulster.

That is something special. All at the Wheelers wish them a safe race and will be out to cheer them on.

The third man home on the night was J Clyde.

He is another rider very cable of some fantastic times and showed just that.

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Other riders who deserve a mention are A Hodgen who produced a PB, and doing their first ever TT were good buddies DFriz and J Maxwell.

To get 28 riders on first night in a TT is fantastic as it is usually the popular Road Races and Aussie / Pursuits that draws the big crowds.

Once again, the Wheelers will run five Road Races and five Aussie / Pursuits.

Their races will be run from May as Aussie / Pursuit, then Road Race, and then a TT.

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That will be the format of the club’s races until the end of the season so there will be something for everyone.

The Wheelers would like to thank all the clubs for their support and welcome Dromore CC, who are now riding the club’s races and some have expressed an interest in riding the Aussie / Pursuits and Road Races as well.

Next week’s is the first round of the tough circuit TTs, starting at the old school on the Rathfriland Road in Loughbrickland and finishing at the bridge over the Carriageway at the Creamery. Fastest rider on the night was Rodney Stewart with a low 23.