Dowling wins at the Noel Teggart race

Mark Dowling (DID Dunboyne) added another Irish Classic to his growing list when he won the Noel Teggart Memorial in Banbridge on Sunday 26 July 2015. He crossed the finish line, 1’ 36” ahead of runner up Lindsay Watson (Plush MTB) who was also on his own. Eoin Morton (UCD) was third just ahead of Marcus Christie (Grant Bissell) with local man Roger Aiken (Team Asea) fifth.

Downling had attacked on the last of the 7 laps race (82 miles) and the leading group disintegrated as he surged ahead for an impressive win. A small but quality field rode an aggressive race from the start in unseasonal conditions. Lindsay Watson’s placing confirms his talent having crossed to road racing from mountain biking in recent years. Newry man Gareth McCullough (Newry Wheelers) did a good ride to finish 9th while his team mate Kevin Lynch took the A2 award. Good to see Adam Armstrong (Northern-Dave Kane) back in action and finishing strongly in the depleted bunch.

John Higgins (Ballaghaderreen CC) won the A3 race with another solo effort. Bangor junior Joash Lawrence (North Down CC) showed the benefit of his ride in the Junior Tour, with a super race to finish second on his own while Glen Dunwoody (Orchard Wheelers-Shelbourne Motors) took the bunch gallop for third.

Loran Healy (unattached) won the A4 race with ‘blast from the past’ Danny McGlade (Apollo CC) leading in the bunch for second.
Orlagh Montague (Dublin Wheelers) finished well in the A4 race to win the first lady prize.
Anthony Bradley (Sperrin Wheelers) took his second win of the weekend in the Under 16 race, having won in Donegal on Saturday. Ciaran Cahoon (Clann Eireann) won the U14 race and Katie Armstrong (North Down) was first U14 girl. Odhran Doogan (Errigal) was first U12 and Ellie Kelso (East Tyrone CC) best girl.
It was a very busy weekend for Aaron Wallace and the Banbridge Club who had promoted the Agnew SEAT race on Friday night also.

A1/A2 Race
1. Mark Dowling (DID Dunboyne)
2. Lindsay Watson (Plush MTB)
3. Eoin Morton (UCD)
4. Marcus Christie (Giant Bissell)
5. Roger Aiken (ASEA)
6. Sean McKenna (Aqua Blue)
7. Ali McAuley (ASEA)
8. David Watson (North Down CC)
9. Gareth McCullough (Newry Wheelers)
10. Sean McIntyre (Caldwell Cycles Omagh)

1st A2 – Kevin Lynch (Newry Wheelers)

A3 Race
1. John Higgins (Ballaghaderreen CC)
2. Joash Lawrence (North Down CC
3. Glenn Dunwoody (Orchard Wh / Shelbourne Motors)
4. Kevin McKinney (Armagh City Cyclists)
5. James Mullan (Velo Café Magasin)
6. David Dickson (Dromara CC)
7. Pierre Kinsella (U/A)
8. Adam Piper (Maryland Wheelers)
9. Nathan Weir (Harps Wheelers)
10. Emmet Vallely (Square Wheels)

A4 Race
1. Lorcan Healy (U/A)
2. Daniel McGlade (Apollo CT)
3. Benny Smyth (Killeavy CC)
4. Johnny McRoberts (Maryland Wheelers)
5. Ivor Hession (Phoenix CC)
6. Rob Carr (Kings Moss)

1st Lady – Orla Montague Dublin Wheelers

Under 16’s
1. Anthony Bradley (Sperrin Wheelers)
2. Conor Halvey (Errigal)
3. PJ Doogan (Errigal)

Under 14’s
1. Ciaran Cahoon (Clann Eireann)
2. Aaron Heaney (Derrymore)
3. Arthur Taggart (Ballymoney CC)

1st Girl - Katie Armstrong (North Down CC)

Under 12’s
1. Odhran Doogan (Errigal)
2. Darren Rafferty (Island Wheelers)
3. Rowan Montgomery (Ballymoney CC)

1st Girl – Ellie Kelso (East Tyronne CC)

Report by Brendan Kirk
Photos by Bronagh Kirk (for more photos, see Bronagh's website here)

Posted by Martin Grimley (martin@ulsterxc.com)