David Hamilton (North Down CC) has been the bridesmaid on a few occasions this year but he made no mistake in the Mid-Ulster GP yesterday, winning solo after attacking a strong break. (Photo: Toby Watson)
By Brian Canty
David Hamilton took his first win of the season yesterday when he soloed home around half a minute clear of a chasing trio in the Mid-Ulster GP, promoted by Harps CC.
The North Down CC man has been right up there in several races already this season challenging the big teams and he finally got his reward.
“I’ve been knocking on the door for a while so it feels good to finally get one on the board,” he said.
“It's hard to beat a win to boost the confidence.”
With the Tour of Ulster this weekend and the An Post Rás a matter of weeks away, he could hardly have timed it better.
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Hamilton started with the A1 and A2 group that started three minutes behind the A3 riders, meaning they had it all to do to catch those up ahead.
“We put the hammer down early and split the scratch group,” he recalled.
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“We caught the A3s just turning onto the second of six 10-mile laps and went straight through them.
“Then I began attacking until a group of scratch men and few handy juniors formed.”
That sorting process whittled it back to around nine guys.
Among those present were Ryan Reilly (Foyle CC), Paul McCarter (Donegal Bay CC), Angus Fyffe (Omagh Wheelers), Jonny Taylor (Carn Wheelers), Steven McAllister (Ballymoney CC) as well as junior riders Cameron McIntyre (NRPT-Magnet.ie), Jake Gray (NRPT0Magnet.ie) and Stuart Thompson (Spires CC).
Their advantage grew to over two minutes on the bunch but with over two laps to go, a few started sitting on and the gap began to diminish.
That provoked a fresh wave of attacks from the break, with Hamilton one of those pressing to move on.
In fact, such was his determination that he clipped off the front alone.
“I managed to open up a gap with around six miles to go and held them off with about 30 seconds to spare on the line,” he said, clearly delighted.
Hamilton will now really focus on the An Post Rás where he’ll ride in a team made up of three other clubmates.
Also in the team will be David Watson, Lewis Ferguson and James Ambrose with one spot still available.
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