April saw the start of VC Iveagh’s RACE LEAGUE calendar with a 2UP time trial on the Rathfriland Road, Banbridge. 2UP’s are a traditional and entertaining way to get the season kicked off and although it is certainly competitive it’s mainly viewed as a season opener with the majority of the guys not taking the event just as seriously as the actual club races and individual TT’s. With a strong group of 26 riders in attendance from nine different clubs including a few solo riders, it was a great night even though the elements were seemingly conspiring against us. However as the riders rolled up to the start line the skies cleared and miraculously we had a dry race.
Kicking off proceeding were two new members of VC Iveagh, Jonathan Burns and Stephen Pepper. Only having taken up cycling in recent months, they were determined to give racing a go and this was very much a baptism of fire. The two guys certainly didn’t shame themselves with an excellent 31:38 time; well done lads a great base level has now been set. Proceedings then continued with each riding partnership in turn rolling up to take their place, the only blip was when Neil ’Bosty’ Boston decided to take his warm up to a whole new level and missed his time slot but with Louise and Alan on the clocks we rode the storm and got things back on track.
This TT was also the official start of our new partnership with Rice’s Hotel who shall be sponsoring the 2016 VC Iveagh RACE LEAGUE, not only are we running an internal club league but we have also introduced a visitors league. The visitors league is open to any rider from any club, simply compete in over 50% of our races throughout the season for a chance to win a meal for two in Rice’s Hotel, all details can be found in our Sponsorship Announcement post.
A special mention has to go the both the visiting clubs and overall race winners, so thank you to the following clubs:
TVR
SMCC
Phoenix CC
Maryland Wheelers
Dromara CC
Keevan CC
NRPT
West Down Wheelers
The overall winners on the night were the ever present Tim Beattie (TVR) and Mark Short (Phoenix CC) with a winning time of 24:27, well done lads, that was a really great performance in some testing conditions, we hope to see you both at are upcoming events.
So it’s now onward and upwards to our next event, a 10 mile individual TT on the Castlewellan Road, Banbridge on Thursday the 21st April. We hope to have a very special guest rider on the evening, none other than recent Ras Mumhan race winner Chris ‘Kipper’ McGlinchey, Kipper is coming along not only to show his support to VC Iveagh but also to put his TT skills to the test on his new Vitus Chrono on the tricky TT course.
Below are last nights results and the internal and external Race Leagues:
Club Race League | 7 April 16 | Total |
Gordon Brown | 20 | 20 |
Scott Daly | 20 | 20 |
Mervyn McKeown | 19 | 19 |
Ronnie Massey | 19 | 19 |
Jonathan Burns | 18 | 18 |
Stephen Pepper | 18 | 18 |
Ryan Harshaw | 17 | 17 |
Mark Johnston | 17 | 17 |
Neil Boston | 16 | 16 |
Brian Halliday | 16 | 16 |
Simon Keery | 15 | 15 |
Neil Seffen | 15 | 15 |
Davey Cartmill | 14 | 14 |
Paul Rice | 14 | 14 |
Russ Deuchar | 5 | 5 |
John Davison | 5 | 5 |
Ivan McConville | 5 | 5 |
Dean McDowell | 5 | 5 |
Alan Priestly | 5 | 5 |
Visitor Race League | 7 April 16 | Total |
Tim Beattie TVR | 20 | 20 |
Mark Short Phoenix | 20 | 20 |
John Clyde WDW | 19 | 19 |
Trevor Wright DCC | 19 | 19 |
Mark Casey TVR | 18 | 18 |
Stevie Bucannon | 18 | 18 |
Darren Cusack M’land | 17 | 17 |
Colin McKee M’land | 17 | 17 |
Richard Yarr SMCC | 16 | 16 |
ColinAbernethy SMCC | 16 | 16 |
10 Mile 2UP TTT : Rathfriland RD
Club Race Results
Name | Target | Actual | Difference | Position | Points |
Gordon BrownScott Daly | 26:48 | 25:40 | -1:08 | 1 | 20 |
Ronnie MasseyMeryvn McKeown | 27:38 | 26:43 | -0:55 | 2 | 19 |
Stephen PyperJonathan Burns | 32:00 | 31:38 | -0:22 | 3 | 18 |
Mark JohnstonRyan Harshaw | 28:00 | 27:43 | -0:19 | 4 | 17 |
Brian HallidayNeil Boston | 29:50 | 29:32 | -0:18 | 5 | 16 |
Neil SeffenSimon Keery | 25:02 | 25:21 | +0:19 | 6 | 15 |
Davey CartmillPaul Rice | 26:48 | 27:50 | +1:02 | 7 | 14 |
Visitor Race Results
Name | Target | Actual | Difference | Position | Points |
Tim Beattie TVRMark Short Phoenix | NA | 24:27 | NA | 1 | 20 |
John Clyde WDWTrevor Wright DCC | NA | 25:43 | NA | 2 | 19 |
Mark Casey TVRStephen Buchannon TVR | NA | 26:49 | NA | 3 | 18 |
Darren Cusack MarylandColin Mckee Maryland | NA | 27:53 | NA | 4 | 17 |
Richard Yarr SMCCColin Abernethy SMCC | NA | 29:18 | NA | 5 | 16 |
Congratulations to Tim Beattie and Mark Short for fastest actual time on the night, but equally to the Clubs winners Gordon Brown and Scott Daly, whom made up a partnership at the very last minute. A fine time of 25.40
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Thanks Ronnie – appreciate that comment
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Thanks to all at VC Iveagh especially the timekeepers and marshals for standing out on a cold and wet night. Well done to all the fast guys, some impressive times!
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Thanks John, really appreciate the support, great night to kick of the season even if it was a bit chilly…
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