Gavin Magowan takes Newry win after brave bid by juniors Teggart and Downey

Mark Downey takes the climbers' prime ahead of team mate Matthew Teggart as the duo attempt to ride away from the Newry Three Day field. Downey has just won a silver medal at the European Track Championships and Teggart two stages and the points classification in the Junior Tour, but they were reeled in last night (Photo: Amy-Norah Farrell)

By Amy Norah Farrell

Dromara’s Gavin Magowan has taken the yellow jersey after the first stage of the Newry Wheelers Three-Day, having sprinted to the line ahead of Craig Rea (Phoenix CC) and Liam Curran (Curran Racing).

There were numerous attacks throughout the JC Campbell Honda-Citroen sponsored stage, with the first break forming just 2 kilometres into the race; Apollo’s James Wilson and NRPT’s Aaron Swan accelerating away from the bunch.

It wasn’t long before they were joined by Peter Wilson (Maryland Wheelers) and Gerard McNally (Carn Wheelers).

But the break was not to last, as home favourite Des Woods (Newry Wheelers) attacked, and the bunch slowly reeled in the four man leading group.

The race was to continue in this fashion, with riders launching themselves off the front of the peloton, only to be absorbed back into the field.

The most promising move of the evening came when NRPT team mates Mark Downey and Matthew Teggart jumped clear.

Having completed three laps of the dual carriageway circuit, the pair worked together to reach the top of the KOH, with Downey taking maximum points. At this stage the bunch was strung out along the climb, but the descent made for some exciting racing, as riders pushed hard to catch the leaders.

Three laps of Warrenpoint would prove to be the breaking point for the two juniors, as the bunch was able to see just how close they were getting to the pair.

And so a massive charge was instigated by Newry Wheelers along with Omagh, and as the bunch entered Warrenpoint for the final time, the two leaders were reabsorbed, making way for a bunch sprint to the line.

Magowan crossed the line marginally ahead of Rea, Curran and Aaron Swan.