Craig Rea takes the Spires GP in a very close finish from Marc Heaney of Carn Wheelers (centre) and Omagh's Angus Fyffe (Photo with thanks to Marian Lamb - Cycling Ulster)
By Brian Canty
Craig Rea said his overriding emotion after winning the Spires CC in Co Derry yesterday was relief.
The Phoenix CC man just inched ahead of Marc Heaney (Carn Wheelers) and Angus Fyffe (Tomac CC) at the crucial time after a bruising 80-kilometres in rough conditions and as the head of the race fragmented at the finish.
The Queen’s University student said he’s trained hard all winter but wasn’t sure how his form was going into yesterday’s race, so to beat a very strong field gave him an enormous confidence boost.
“It’s always brilliant to get the first one of the season,” he said.
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“It was a big relief. I’m out on work placement now and have a bit of time to train because I work 9 to 5.
Marc Heaney leads Carn Wheelers team mate Nicholas Gormley and Aaron Swan of NRPT in the breakaway that broke clear of the A3 bunch before it was stopped (Photo with thanks to Marian Lamb of Cycling Ulster)
“But you never really know how you’re going until you race,” he added.
Indeed, he had a lot of racing to do yesterday just to get on level terms with the A3 group who were given a five-minute handicap.
The event was hit by drama, however, when the A3 bunch was stopped by commisssaire Peter Field because it was riding on the wrong side of the road.
At that stage, a three-man group had left the A3 bunch consisting of Marc Heaney (Carn Wheelers), Aaron Swan (NRPT-Magnet.ie) and Nicholas Gormley (Carn Wheelers).
By the time the A3 bunch was allowed to start again, the A1-A2 scratch group was almost upon them.
McIlwaine leads a breakaway containing Rea, Marc Heaney, Mike Miller and Angus Fyffe (Photo: Marian Lamb - Cycling Ulster)
“We caught them about halfway through,” recalled Rea of how the race panned out.
“But Swan and Heaney had already gone up the road so three of us went clear and chased after them.
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Along with the aforementioned Fyffe, Rea was also with former Irish U23 international Conor McIlwaine (AAA), David Hamilton of North Down, Mike Millar (Phoenix CC) and Jonny Taylor (Carn Wheelers) chasing the A3 bunch and the two breakaway men out front of it.
“We caught them with two laps to go and rode around together to keep our gap up. We only had 40 seconds so we had to keep the speed going.”
He said along with McIlwaine and Fyffe he tried to attack once he caught the group he had given five minutes to at the start.
The riders' aggression and the A3 bunch being stopped made for a constantly changing situation on the road (Photo with thanks to Marian Lamb of Cycling Ulster)
“We tried to get away from the A3s a few times but there was no chance so it all stayed together.
“Then coming to the line it was the usual; all cat and mouse.
“Heaney went off the front first so I jumped on his wheel and got him on the line," he said in reference to the first year junior and eventual runner-up
It was a great ride by Heaney, who had gotten clear in the early break from the A3 bunch and then had the legs to attack the best of the A1s after their break caught all the A3s.
Indeed, it was move at the finish that broke the race up when attacks from the A1s who got on terms had failed.
Trevor Campbell leads home an Antrim East Audi 1-2 in the B race just ahead of David Humphries (Photo with thanks to Marian Lamb of Cycling Ulster)
However, while Heaney can feel pleased with himself after a very strong showing, the day belonged to Rea.
And he was clearly delighted with his win.
“It was pure relief. I’ve been training hard over winter and always questioning whether I’m good enough so this will give me confidence now," he said.
The plan for the next month is to race the Wallace Caldwell Memorial in two weeks followed by the Des Hanlon a day later.
Next weekend he will tackle the Tour of Ards with a strong Phoenix CC squad and the confidence from his first win still riding high.
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