Mourne Observer Cup - Quarry Road

Wednesday, 20 May 2009

Photo Andy Potts

Words Aaron Wallace

The Quarry Road was the venue for the first round of the Mourne Observer cup, where 26 eager riders took to the start, hoping the rain would hold off. The weather wasn’t so kind, and just as some were rolling off the start line, the heavens opened again. First off into the gloom in group 1 were James Curry and Jim Daly, followed shortly after by Terry Mackin, Scott Daly and Noel Doyle (WDW) in group 2. Father and son pairing of Jamie and Ed Hodget - accompanied by Leslie Creighton - started a further 2 minutes back. The dangerous group 4 with Willy Mulligan, Dan Purdy Stevie O’Hagan and Matt Adair rode a strong race, sweeping up all in front of them, holding off the remaining groups until the last lap.

Despite a 2 minute gap, groups five and six merged together before the end of the second lap. Group five, with Gareth Rogers, Liam McKiverigan, Kevin McAlinden Charlie McConville Stephen Goan and Derek Hanna (Dromara CC) could not hold off the rapidly advancing bunch of Roger Aiken, Simon Curry, Liam McGreevy, Aaron & Stephen Baines, Darren Weir and Davy McKnight, despite losing Aaron Wallace with a broken pedal.

As the last lap started, the field had been whittled down from 26 to 15 riders, and it looked like the winner was going to come from Group four who were still ahead. However they were caught late into the last lap, and in the sprint for the line Simon Curry prevailed over Davy McKnight. Both riders had ridden hard throughout the race, with Simon a deserving winner. Despite some gear-crunching along the way, Charlie McConville’s bike held together to take third with the rest of the pack finishing behind without any mishap.

Thanks again to all the marshals who stood out and got soaked in the rain!

View Photos from Andy Potts and Richard Scobie.

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