It was the first big bike holiday weekend of the cycling season with an action packed three days of racing and touring for the men and women of North Down CC. Just about every cycling discipline was catered for with events for juniors and seniors alike.

Action kicked of on Friday evening with the Hugo Loughran GP promoted by Island Wheelers at Derrytrask with races for both A3 and A4 riders. As ever there was a strong North Down presence in both races.

The gaining of points was on everyone’s minds and the pace in both races was high throughout. It was a tactical game as the narrow roads were made hazardous with outbursts of torrential rain meaning that it was hard to get through in order to go free of the bunch in the 6.4 mile circuit. Unfortunately our riders found themselves boxed in as both races came down to a bunch sprint.

Up next was Ulster’s most demanding stage race – The Tour of Ulster. Starting on Saturday and finishing on Monday the race was promoted by Carn Wheelers with assistance from Clann Eirann. Three stages with a short time trial in the Maghera area for good measure racing against Ireland’s finest meant that our “Men of the Ras” squad would have a good workout prior to the Ras in two weeks time. Dave Watson was our best finisher taking 4^th A2 rider.

Men of the Ras – Picture courtesy of Dave Watson

This should give our racers a small taste of what they will experience during the 2013 Ras and was certainly an invaluable experience.

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