Dane Pips Cousin By Tyre Width
Inter-Club 4 (Lakeland) on Wednesday 5th August 2009
On Wednesday, August 5, Lakeland CC hosted their round of the Inter club series in Fivemiletown. This is a league run over four races each hosted by the participating clubs of Lakeland, Fintona, Omagh and East Tyrone, Cookstown. The riders are separated into four groups of ability and current form and this in turn is split into two similar ability races. With the Lakelanders hosting this race was to start in the village and make its was through Clabby and toward Tempo. The route would turn then towards Fintona and over the famous Sion Finn climb before reaching its conclusion back at Fivemiletown.
First away was the A race and representing Lakeland were the Dunlop cousins Ray and Dane, Kenny Boylan, Ray Pauley, Wesley Foster and the in-form Neil Armstrong.
With the limit group caught early the peloton continued at a relentless pace to the bottom of the climb at Fintona chasing down an early attack from Ray Pauley and Omagh's Eugene Power. From here it was full attack for the Dunlops who reduced the group so far it was a two horse race between themselves for the finish. In the sprint it was Dane who pipped his cousin Ray at the line by a tyre width. They were closely followed by the pack containing Neil Armstrong whose climbing has clearly benefitted from his week in the Pyrenees.
Lakeland were represented in the B race with a large team namely Sean Fee, Alan Magee, Roger Monaghan, Mark Kavanagh, William Dunlop, Paul McCorry, Kenny Donnell, Eddie Carson and Gerry Murphy.
The groups came together on the Tempo to Fintona Road and from here Lakeland went to the front and the attacks began. Mark Kavanagh was first out of the blocks and his effort pulled out about 100 yards over the rest of the field. One rider each form East Tyrone and Omagh jumped to him and they maintained the gap for about two miles until the group gradually reeled them in.
Next came a lone attack from Roger Monaghan which was closely followed by another from Paul McCorry forcing the other clubs to make chase. The effects of this told the bottom of the climb as a large Lakeland group attacked at the bottom disintegrating the peloton.
Over the top of the climb went a group of five riders four of which were wearing the familiar blue/yellow of Lakeland. In the break for the line William Dunlop took the win to make it a father son evening. He was closely followed by Alan Magee and two other Lakelanders to gain maximum points for the Fermanagh outfit.
Results
| Pos | Cyclist | Club | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Race | |||
| 1 | Dane Dunlop | LCC | |
| 2 | Raymond Dunlop | LCC | |
| B Race | |||
| 1 | William Dunlop | LCC | |
| 2 | Alan Magee | LCC | |