11/07/2013 Ernie Magwood Super 6 Round 4

Marcus Christie Goes Sub 19 at Ernie Magwood Super 6.

Marcus Christie, having shattered the Irish 50 miles record the previous weekend, was the hot favourite to win the 10 mile event at Woodgreen on Thursday night past.

Marcus was tipped to do a solid 19, or as some though, possibly an 18, and based on the five consecutive 20 minute 10 mile time trials he done to get his 50 time to 1:40:10, it was feasible.

While conditions were very good at Woodgreen there have been better nights, which make his 18:37 all the more amazing; he surely could challenge the 10 record with another few attempts and the right conditions. This is very illustrious company with only David McCann, Michael Hutchinson, Ryan Mullan and I believe Ryan Connor the only other riders who have managed it, and proof that Marcus could go a long way in this game with the right guidance.

His time made John Heverin's 19:26 look almost ordinary, until it’s considered that the Irish elite record used to be in that ball park no more than 7-8 years ago. Anyway, Johns 2^nd was more than good enough for him to extend his lead in the EMS6 league, and he also gaining extra points as Gary Jeffers managed a superb 20:02 for 3^rdplacing himself between John Heverin and John Madden in 4^th on his new Cervelo P5.  Several other riders managed PBs or got very close. The top 20 all 21 minutes or under which shows the quality of the league.

Round 4 was also counted for the UWA women’s league, Ann McFarland was fastest on 23:51, Darryl Erwin went very close to the half hour on 30:01, and fastest Junior on the day, and extending his series lead was Connor Young with a 21:16, another welcome returning face was Geoff the Chef from Bluebells restaraunt, Geoff is one of our league sponsors, anyone in the area give him a call, he can talk bikes almost as well as he can cook.

Finally huge thanks for everyone involved. With the July holidays, IWCC running their interclub 3 day, and the Tour De France all putting a strain on our resources, we had to call for backup. Sheena done sign on and a solid 27 despite her nasty crash this week. Gordon Parker took care of the timekeeping assisted by Alisha.  James and Mark done starting duties, John McGlaughlin, radioed the times over, and Drew Millar kept updated whiteboard times, with Murray Young marshalling and acting as a spotter to guarantee a safely run event. Without each and every one of these people this event would not have went ahead. Thank you all.

The next round is scheduled to be on July 27^th. This may change as it is clashing with the Wallace Caldwell and several riders have expressed an interest in both events; stay tuned to the Ernie Magwood time trial League face book page and Cycling Ulster for more details.