Island Wheelers Cycling Club, Coalisland, Co. Tyrone. Northern Ireland Official website for the Island Wheelers Cycling Club
The stage was set, the weather was perfect and the riders showed up in force with 80 riders taking to the start line from across the country. The A4 were off first and were given a 2 minute handicap from the chasing A3’s behind. The pace was hard from the start by both groups, however the A3’s worked well together and the race came together on penultimate lap.
The pace didn’t drop once the two groups became one and on a narrow circuit it was always going to difficult getting positioned for a bunch sprint so in the closing miles Gavin McKernan (Omagh Wheelers), Mark Brown (Phoenix), and Alan McKeown (Island Wheelers) made a break for it. The three looked certain to stay away by the final corner, however a game of ‘cat and mouse’ on the finishing straight allowed the chasing peloton to catch them a few meters from the line. It was Chris Greene (U/A) who powered across the uphill finish line first followed by Andy McGibbon (Apollo CT) and Danny Hylands (Team Madigan). Julie Mulligan (Omagh Wheelers) was the 1st lady across the line.
The Island Wheelers had a staggering 18 riders starting the Coalisland GP, it was great to see so many Wheelers giving it a blast. The Island Wheelers CC would like to thank everyone who took part in making the race safe and enjoyable for the riders and also Clonmore GAA for the use of their facilities.
PHOTOS TO FOLLOW
1. Chris Greene(U/A)
2. Andy McGibbon (Apollo CT)
3. Danny Hylands (Team Madigan)
4. Gavin McKernan (Omagh Wheelers)
5. Matthew Heaney (Apollo CT)
6. Shaun Gray (East Tyrone)
First Lady
Julie Mulligan (Omagh Wheelers)#
VIDEO: Coalisland GP Finish
