CYCLING | McCrystal edges clear of Dolan in round five of The Bike Station League

Round five of The Bike Station Summer Cycling League was the most feared route on the circuit, going from the Sportsman’s out to Carlingford, through Omeath and finally turning left at Davy’s Pub for the Flagstaff climb.

As if finishing up with a tough climb wasn’t sufficient enough punishment, Thursday last also saw the riders battered by strong winds!

In race one, the three groups had come together by Lordship, leading to Bryan McCrystal making a solo attack after the turn for Carlingford.

A chase group, made up of Ray O’Shaughnessy, Alan Bingham, Liam Dolan, Gary Gorman and Alan Gray formed and worked hard to close in on the lone leader but by the time he made the turn to start the climb McCrystal had a gap of 30 seconds.

Liam Dolan did manage to bridge across to McCrystal on the climb and the two riders had a close fought sprint which McCrystal edged out to cross the line in first place with O’Shaughnessy coming home in third position.

In race two, John Loane of Cuchulainn CC was victorious after working extremely hard to hold off the challenge of Philip Patterson, who rides for Armagh Down Cycling Club. Martin Harvey was the final rider on the podium, coming home just ahead of Jamie O’Hare and Laura O`Driscoll.

Round six is another tough course which will see the riders race across 40km on undulating circuit in Ravensdale this Thursday night.