Another Dunlop One Two
Time Trial 3 on Wednesday 13th May 2009
On a blustery Wednesday evening and with the rain threatening, 16 plucky riders signed on for the third round of the Lakeland Cycle Club Pedalware Time Trial League. The sponsor apologised for non-attendance as he had just returned from a 320 mile charity ride from North Donegal to Kerry in aid of the Special Olympics. Well done Robert.
The car park at Belcoo was the location for the start of the annual 25 mile leg buster from Belcoo to Garrison and return. The riders assembled and fine tuned a mixture of all out carbon fibre time trial machines, road race bikes with tri bars fitted and some non-modified entrants.
The wind was blowing strong from a South-Easterly direction giving riders a tail wind on the outward section and a headwind on the return. The course, which is always fast, runs along the shore of Lough McNean and though it may seem flat for the most part is anything but.
In the past, only a few have finished it by breaking the magic hour and its usually the time the others aspire to. To do this, the riders have to keep an average speed of just over 25mph, which is no mean feat in itself but when you consider the undulations along this road it's nigh on a miracle. Could anyone break it this year and, if so, by how much?
The riders were roughly seeded for the start in reverse order with the big guns of the club to go last. Club regulars like the two time Ulster Veteran champion Kenny Boylan, Past Ras Donegal winner Raymond Dunlop and his cousin, the 2008 Ulster Junior Champion Dane Dunlop, lined up in the top three spots.
Despite the strong wind, Boylan had opted to go with a deep section carbon front wheel and full disc rear wheel giving optimum aerodynamics but this can sometimes be unstable in a cross wind. The Dunlop cousins had both selected deep section carbon fronts and rears for their new time trial machines.
In front of them, it was a mix of Lakelanders interspersed with three Omagh Wheelers and one novice, Adrian Ferguson, who would be first away. Kenny Donnell hoped to continue his excellent run of form along with Neil Armstrong,Wesley Foster, Gerry Murphy, and the two Tempo-based brothers Sean and Brendan Fee all looking to improve on last year's times.
First away was Ferguson, followed a minute later by Tom White. Unfortunately, a puncture some miles out put an end to his night.
By the halfway turn at Garrison, the race was beginning to take shape with the quicker riders moving through the field. However, after the turn and with the wind in their faces, the effects were felt as the race of truth really started. With about three miles to go, it was Colm Mimnagh of Omagh Wheelers out front meaning that he was up on the riders who had started before him.
Next to be seen on the road was Marius Leonard, followed closely by the impressive Raymond Dunlop, on a storming time having passed all but two of the 14 starting in front of him. Dunlop, who along with his cousin Dane showed well on the recent tour of Ulster, was followed closely by Kenny Boylan. Dane Dunlop was just another minute back meaning that this one was going to be very close.
Others who had made up time included Gerry Murphy, Neil Armstrong, Kenny Donnell and Omagh riders Eugene Power and Sean McLaughlin.
At the finish, the marshals awaited with baited breath and first into view was Raymond Dunlop who swooped over the line in an impressive 57.12.
Next in sight came a gaggle of riders and as they got closer the figures of Boylan and Dane Dunlop could be made out. As they crossed the line, times were calculated quickly and it transpired that Dane had been beaten into second by Raymond, the margin being just 18 seconds with Kenny (how does he do it at his age?) Boylan in third on a time of 59.09.
Kenny Donnell impressed in fourth on 1.06.01 and was the first non-time trial bike home – another impressive result from the Newtownstewart-based rider.
Fifth went to Sean McLaughlin of Omagh Wheelers with just three seconds separating the Lakeland pair of Gerry Murphy and Neil Armstrong in sixth and seventh.
Eighth and only 15 seconds later was Eugene Power of Omagh Wheelers with local man Marius Leonard impressing all by coming home in ninth place.
Rounding out the top 10 on the night was Omagh man Colm Mimnagh.
A great turnout on what turned out to be a miserable evening with the rain just starting as the competitors left for home.
Thanks to the marshal for the night William (bring a stopwatch next time) Dunlop, his lovely assistant Anthony McGirr and to Toppers the resident photographer.
Results – Round 3 Pedalware Time Trial League, 25 mile Time Trial Wednesday, 13th May
All Lakeland members except where stated.
1. Raymond Dunlop 57 mins: 12 secs
2. Dane Dunlop 57:30
3. Kenny Boylan 59:09
4. Kenny Donnell 1:06:01
5. Sean McLaughlin Omagh Wheelers 1:06:05
6. Gerry Murphy 1:06:42
7. Neil Armstrong 1:06:45
8. Eugene Power Omagh Wheelers 1:07:07
9. Marius Leonard 1:10:17
10. Colm Mimnagh Omagh Wheelers 1:10:28
11. Sean Fee 1:11:03
12. Brendan Fee 1:13:25
13. Mark Kavanagh 1:14: 20
14. Wesley Foster 1:17:05
15. Tom White DNF
Results
| Pos | Cyclist | Club | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raymond Dunlop | LCC | 0:57:12 |
| 2 | Dane Dunlop | LCC | 0:57:30 |
| 3 | Kenny Boylan | LCC | 0:59:09 |
| 4 | Kenny Donnell | LCC | 1:06:01 |
| 5 | Sean McLaughlin | Omagh Wheelers | 1:06:05 |
| 6 | Gerry Murphy | LCC | 1:06:42 |