P.J. Logan Cup
With the Wallace Caldwell Classic postponed due to snow on the course all racing centred around the P.J. Logan Cup based up at The Bush near Coalisland. Despite some very wintery conditions North Down again fielded a strong team, perhaps keen to escape a snowbound Bangor for an afternoon. Based loosely on The Bush 100 motorbike circuit the road race consists of a figure of eight course on heavy roads with climbs and drags to keep everyone on their toes. Strong frigid winds however played their part exploiting any gaps in the bunch leaving many a rider exposed and riding to the finish line on their own.
North Down Cycling Club is a… ‘ total club’… were the perceptive comments of former Olympian, Seamus Downey at the end of the PJ Logan Cup last weekend. As Downey went on to explain… ‘North Down encourages the recreational side of the sport, promotes excellent events, has a strong social aspect and produces top class athletes’.
Cicli Sport Grand Prix
Much has been written of recent weeks about our illustrious Chairman, Ian Blayney, and his indomitable ladies team that he has masterminded over the winter. Week after week his ladies have been populating the podiums the length and breadth of Ulster to the extent that many have forgotten what the man’s forte in fact is. On Saturday Ian gave out a timely reminder to all and sundry that he is, first and foremost, the Sprint King! When it comes to a flat finish there are few faster and after a week running the club, administering advice to “The Ras Robbers” and running our ladies team he has obviously found a few spare hours to do a bit of training. Opening his 2013 account with his first scalp, the Master’s Race of the Ciclisport Grand Prix near Moneymore. This race was not won easily but was a hard fought battle all the way to the line with Ian pipping the other riders to the post. Special mention for the bard John Hunter however. Not so much for his able assistance to Ian during the race but for penning the phrase. “Who do you think you are? Tony Martin?”. John, we salute you.
It’s wasn’t just the men racing at the weekend however. The Ladies fielded a full team again to contest the race. As ever it was Janine making the news. Attacking from the gun and soloing all the way to the finish line rewarded her with her fourth win from four races this season. Showing this amount of dominance in the ladies category must have the other ladies teams scratching their heads as to how to reel her in. Yet again we took the second place on the podium, this time Louise Togneri. Also it’s good to see the team bolstered by experienced track rider Rachel Mitchell. With Rachel’s proven track record it could be that Janine’s greatest competition comes from within before too long!
There were plenty of other club members racing at the weekend. Our ever growing junior section was in action proving to be just as successful as our seniors. Will Hamilton rode a strong race, though, like the seniors, it was the girls bringing home the trophies. Katie Armstrong took second place in a sprint finish and won the Under 14 category at the Saint Patrick’s Festival of Youth race. Fantastic racing, Katie, when will you be racing for Ian’s Ladies Team?
As of this Saturday 16 March the following are the start times for the sanctioned NDCC rides:
8.45am – from Clubroom – Portaferry ride – this is a fast paced training ride for riders of club competition level
9.00am – from Groomsport roundabout – Portaferry ride – a slower paced ride suitable for leisure riders
9.00am – from Clubroom – Daft Eddy’s ride/ramble – this will either be a ramble or if no leaders the same route as the Sunday ride to Daft Eddy’s
9.05am – from Clubroom – Cloughy ride – this is a fast paced training ride for riders of club competition level
9.10am – from Clubroom – Cloughy ride – a moderate paced ride following the same route as the above
9.15am – from Clubroom – Ballyhalbert ride – a slower paced ride suitable for leisure riders
9.15am – from Clubroom -Novice – escorted by experienced club riders (these rides will start in April, date to be confirmed)
10am – from Clubroom -Kids rides – escorted by experienced club riders (these rides will start in April, date to be confirmed)
McCann Cup – Seskinore
You’d be fooled into thinking that David Brailsford, boss of Team Sky, had taken a break from his usual day job and was running the show at the North Down Ladies Team. Week in week out they’re dominating the local races and steamrollering the opposition into submission. Dave’s not in charge however and it’s our own Chairman, Ian Blayney, taking on Director Sportif duties for the strongest ladies team in Irish racing. Ian dreamt up the idea of a ladies team late last year and built up his squad over the winter. Starting with a mix of experienced heads and proven race winners coupled with some ladies new to the sport the fruit of his labours is coming to fruition.
North Down 1-2
Janine Does It Again – Two In A Row
It’s two out of two now for Janine McNally. Our new star rider, sorry Matty, shows no signs of resting on her laurels and has added yet another victory to her palmares by winning the ladies category two weeks in a row.
Janine McNally – 1st Lady