Dowler takes second at Moynalty GP

Scott-Orwell Wheeler Conor Dowler took an excellent 2nd place in the A4 race at the Moynalty GP and tells the story

Moynalty GP

I was full of confidence coming off, what I felt, was a really good 7th place finish in Russborough House in the club league on Thursday evening. Tough punchy climbs and a fierce pursuit with Eoin Ahern, Cormac Bracken and Stephen Rowan. I felt good being able to stay with these lads so there was no reason why I shouldn’t do too bad in Moynalty.

After a brief warm up I bumped into Killian Doyle. He, being an experienced rider, again filled me with confidence saying how I should do really well with my climbing ability and my good results. I could see my name in lights already! That was until he called me Kevin and the realisation that he was confusing me with someone else!

The race set off at a decent pace but with rain and wind, it was fairly crap. Killian had told me about the 2 climbs that I needed to be aware of, especially the one near the end. Get up near the front and don’t get caught behind a fat lad! I did this and managed to sit on the front for a brief period before sitting back onto the 5th wheel to hide from the wind and trouble.

Coming around the halfway point I was sussing out the finish line. Downhill with a swirling wind. There were some strong lads in the field that I knew I wouldn’t outsprint, so I didn’t want it to come down to that. I wasn’t the best climber in the field either, so a breakaway on the final climb wasn’t gonna be where I could attack either. I felt good so I thought to myself, if I’m still up around the front near the end, im gonna just go early and see what happens!

Things started to get a little hairy with about 10km to go. Everyone wanted to give themselves a chance and there was a crash on the last climb. Thankfully it was behind me and I just kept going forward and didn’t look back. Coming up to the finish, I was right up there… there was some bunching on the tight road. I had to get out and stay near the front. Bang, another crash, again behind me. Time to get out of here! I saw a gap to the side of me and as I got out someone went for it. About 1km to go, I felt it was still too soon but I had to go so I gunned it after him! Caught him almost straight away but there was no time to sit in, just take the momentum and keep going! I hammered into a speed bump but just shook it off and kept going. Legs were screaming at me and I glanced back with about 400 metres to go and saw I had about 10 metres on the guy behind. Just keep going!!!!! The line couldn’t come quick enough.

Head down pushing with everything, a lad from Yeats came by with a perfectly timed sprint. No catching him at that speed… I gave one last dig and held off another lad to claim second place. My first points as an A4 and absolutely delighted with the result!