Henry Soloes To Victory
On Saturday last Regent House schoolboy, Stuart Henry scored an emphatic victory when he soloed to victory in the notoriously difficult Dromore Race. This was the third in the national selection road races for this year’s Youth Olympics in Belgrade and with three places in the first three he now seems certain to at least make it into the short-list of six who will travel to Belgium in May for a series of events to determine the final team of three.
Stuart Henry
Just like the previous races in this series, riders travelled from all four provinces for the tough 33 mile race in the foothills of the Mournes. With riders of the calibre of Kerry’s Sean Doona, former winner of the Polka Dot Jersey in the Youth Tour, the former Irish Under 15 champion, Charles Prendergast (Mayo Wheelers), Irish Champion Ben Dowling (Bray) and prolific winner Peter Williams (Richhill) in the field the racing was always going to be lively.
However, it was Henry who took up where he left off in Meath last weekend. He launched attack after attack and by the half way mark was in the leading group of eight riders. With just over ten miles to go Henry launched the decisive move. Only Prendergast was able to live with his surge of power and the two quickly established a lead of half a minute on a chasing group containing Williams, Sean Carolan (Westport) Mark Fitzimmons (Newbridge) and Axel O’Connor (Laois). With this efficiently working group in hot pursuit, and with Prendergast suffering under the strain, there a few anxious moments for the North Down contingent. However, with five miles to go Prendergast lost contact when Henry raised the tempo. This enabled the Bangor lad to time trial to a well deserved victory.
Results
1 Stuart Henry (North Down CC)
2 Charles Prendergast (Mayo Wheelers)
3 Peter Williams (Orchard Wheelers)
4 Sean Carolan (Covey Wheelers)
5 Mark Fitzimmons (Newbridge)
6 Axel O’Connor (Laois)
Club Ten
Last week’s club race was a ten mile time trial over a new Donagadee to Bangor course devised by race secretary, Paul Ferguson. The conditions on the night were good, even though there was a head wind on the way back. Once again it was super vet Paul Swenarton who produced the winning ride, but he was pushed all the way by Decci McMackin.
Results
M S
Paul Swenarton 23 22
Declan McMackin 23 35
Paul Ferguson 24 44
John Hunter 25 25
William Barclay 25 51
Noel Boyce 26 18
Owen Parkes 26 21
Gary Swenarton 27 6
Phillip Downey 27 15
Craig Swenarton 27 20
Brian Simpson 27 42
Jessica Laird 27 56
Stephen Bingham 27 56
Glenn Jordan 28 0
Ciaran Andrews 28 11
Tim Johnston 28 20
Lowell McCreadie 29 45
Ricky Blayney 30 37
Touring
On Sunday May 6th, Castlereagh CC will organise their annual Tour of
the Glens. This testing 200km ride leaves the City Hall in Belfast at
8.00am and travels through the heart of the Glens of Antrim, probably one
of the most scenic areas of Ireland. There are regularly around 150
riders doing the event so be assured there will be groups to suit all
fitness levels.
There will be a number of checkpoints along the course, with
Ballygally being the first after approx 30 miiles. From here the route takes the cyclists
up through the Glens and also long stretches along the coast road,
before the next stop in Cushendall after 60 miles. This will be a light
refreshment stop before the tough loop is tackled up Glen Dun followed by the
drop back to Cushendall for lunch.
Adult tricycle
A request has gone out from 60’s international cyclist Bob Talbot for an adult tricycle. Bob was no mean cyclist in his time having competed in such events as the Tour of Britain; Unfortunately, the Dungannon man had a stroke last year and is now in need of three wheels if he is to prolong his cycling activities. If anyone can source an adult tricycle, Bob would be very appreciative.