By The last ever Steve Henshaw titled Oliver’s Mount Gold Cup feature race, did not disappoint!
Prior to the first race start been red flagged, a thrilling opening three laps saw multiple leadership changes with Ryan Dixon, Franco Bourne (race retiree on lap three – did not make the re-start) and Rob Hodson all having turns at the front, Don Gilbert contend then crash at Mere Hairpin.
Following a moderate delay, competitors retook to the Mount with a reduced six-lap distance confirmed.
In contrast to the previous race-start, Armoy ‘Race of Legends’ winner Michael Browne (Boyce Precision Engineering/Russell Racing – Yamaha) made a more tumultuous blast off the line, leading into the Esses, afore-mentioned Trickbits Racing pilot Ryan Dixon.
Browne was quickly into a strong rhythm and by the time lap two arose, he was almost two seconds ahead of new second place occupier Rob Hodson.
From here, the diminutive Browne lap on lap, section by section, broke Hodson’s gritty challenge, ultimately powering through the finish-line as the sixth, final lap culminated with a race winning margin of 3.696 seconds.
The Republic of Ireland’s first Gold Cup Champion, he additionally scooped fastest lap of the race laurels, lapping in the low 1.49 seconds bracket (1.49.034).
Above-showcased Don Gilbert (Parker Transport Racing – Yamaha), emerging unscathed from previously highlighted Mere Hairpin misdemeanour, completed the top three behind Hodson, holding off Joey Thompson (TH Racing – Honda) following a superb performance from the 2023 Barry Sheene Trophy Champion.
Aberdare Park Welsh Open winner Andy Smart took fifth with the fast-starting Ryan Dixon sixth.
Johnny Stewart, Aran Sadler, Mick Goodings, David McArthur wrapped up the top ten finishers.
Finishers eleventh to seventeenth were respectively Paul Marley, Mark Goodings, Scott Aitkin, Warrior Racing’s Jack Worth, Gareth Arnold, Aarron Cooke, Oliver Dean.
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
