Putting a road race together within 10 days' notice including all COVID-19 safety precautions in place...The Newry GP promoted by the local Wheelers just did yesterday!! (Sun 6th September)

It was an early start for all of us yesterday morning in Poyntzpass near Newry City…some traveled from Dublin, Donegal, and further afield to compete in this prestigious race on County Down’s rolling roads. I stayed over with family in Carlingford on the Southside of the border, after my trip to Corkagh Park on Saturday, to save a bit of petrol, and to avoid an early start as only 20 miles away from the start. The field of 80 riders was a mass start for the A*-A1-A2-A3 & Juniors, such races I love as you can see what upcoming talent can do when mixing with the big boys so to speak, and to see a world-class Irish Women champion (TT) and World cup track star Kelly Murphy entering the race as the only lady is a bonus to the race…Kelly told me before the race that’s she was expecting a good kicking, well she was wrong…she “stood her man” so to speak finishing safely in one of the bunches behind the winner JB Murphy. A dry morning was very much welcomed and the sun came through as well to make it a pleasant day for covering an RR…we don’t have many about in Ulster due to this rotten pandemic, but races can go on, you have to change the way you operate, adhere to the new rules and avoid crowds at the start and finish lines. Not an easy thing to do but as we have seen in the last few weeks… it is possible. Newry Wheelers had to cancel all their open races this year, but at least they managed to get the GP on the road…it was appreciated by the riders and all involved…THE SHOW MUST GO ON!! This report dedicated to all volunteers who made such things happening…merci

**Kelly Murphy, a woman I admire for her guts and dedication…a role model for any aspiring girl in the sport…**

**Love the bike colours of Mark Mc Girr Lakeland CC (middle) here seen with Darnell Moore of Vitus Pro and local star Gareth O’Neill now racing for Tyrone’s Caldwell cycles**

The sponsors below and support car above for the Newry GP
#HaldaneFisher #FPMPKF #niallclarkeoils #RDGTyres #dawsonengineering

Top 10 Ranking order
1st. JB Murphy – Arabay
2nd. Gareth O’Neill – Team Caldwell Cycles
3rd. Adam Ward – Antiga Casabellsola Girona Team
4th. John Buller – Banbridge CC
5th. Shay Donley – Team Dan Morrissey-Mig-Pactimo
6th. Darnell Moore -Team Vitus-CRC
7th. Mark McGinley – Four Masters CC
8th. Kevin McKinney – Armagh CC
9th. Johnny McRoberts -Banbridge CC
10th. Drew McKinley – Newry Wheelers CC