Round 8 of the Bike Station League & National Bike Week

 

Round 8 of the Bike Station Cycling league was hosted by Ardee Cycling Club and they delivered with a spectacular course, which will most certainly become a classic. The 3 lap circuit added up to 46km for the riders, but what made it so challenging was the ascent of Dromin Hill, 3 times. In fact the race started at the very bottom of the hill & those who neglected their warm up found their race over before it had properly begun.
 
Four groups set off in the 20degree plus sunshine and by the end of lap 1 the fast charging scratch group had caught group 5. Meanwhile up ahead groups 4 and 3 had also merged. On the second ascent of the hill the pressure was really on as the 2 groups merged. The pace coupled with the demanding gradient saw many riders dropped. By the top of the hill 5 riders had pulled clear, Alan Bingham of Newry Wheelers, Tomas McCabe from the host club Ardee, Cuchulainn's Liam Dolan and the Armagh Down pair of Benny Smith & Gareth McCullough. 
 
These 5 riders combined well together and opened up a gap over the reduced bunch behind. They stayed away to the finish line where Bingham narrowly pipped McCabe for the win, while Benny Smith was 3rd. Alan Grey led the main bunch home for 6th position.
 
Cuchulainn kicked off National Bike Week with an open night and Bar B Q for underage cyclists at it's off road cyclo cross course. Over 50 children turned up to hon their skills on the course and learn from some of the club's certified coaches. Coaching continues every Monday night from 7-8pm