Ballymena Road Club–Scott Roof Tiles promoted the event on a very cold morning on the Woodgreen to Dunsilly course.

There was an entry of fourteen for this annual 10 miles time trial event which was remarkable given the conditions. However 24 hours earlier the race looked in doubt, with freezing fog and icy road conditions threatening to cause its cancellation.

Conor McAllister was naturally delighted to have won. "I did a time of 21 minutes 36 seconds last year when I finished third behind Ryan Connor and John Madden.

"This year we were all on standard road bikes so that probably slowed me a bit, but it is hard to compare one year against another and it was very cold today.

"The wind was fairly similar both ways, although it probably favoured me a wee bit on the way back. It's great to have won; hopefully this will be the first of many. There are some great names and performances on the trophy and I'm pleased to have my name on it now too.

"I am slowly getting over my recent crash; at least it happened in the close season. I am using dentures until I get all the remedial dental work sorted out. The crash was bad, but then it could have been so much worse, it was just nice to be able to ride today as I have been off the bike long enough and have only been doing a couple of sessions each week on the turbo trainer," added Conor.

Steven Workman was second fastest on Boxing Day with a time of 24 minutes 14 seconds. Steven has had a remarkable first season with the Road Club.

His first time trial was a 10 miles event on the same Woodgreen course on 22nd April. On that occasion he clocked 25.43, he progressed to reduce this to 23.00 on 12th August. However his 24.14 on Boxing Day was a brilliant performance in an "out of season" race and no one would have expected Steven to come so close to the winner.

BRC race secretary Tommy Wilson took third with 26 minutes 01 seconds while the first of the visitors was Jason Henry (Bann Valley) who was fourth with 26.10.

The rest of the results read: (5) Sean Wright 26.43 (6) Simon Stockton (Madigan) 27.30 (7) Bryan McKinney (Bann Wheelers) 27.49 (8) Ryan Currie 28.11 (9) Jim Burns 28.47 (10) Michael Donoghue (Swords) 29.09 (11) Steven Carruthers 29.40 (12) Maeve Savage 29.48 (13) Sammy Kerr 30.08.

The fastest lady was Maeve Savage, who clocked an excellent 29.48 in what was her first Ballymena Road Club time trial outing.

The unluckiest rider was Martin Ruddy who had to retire after a broken spoke caused his wheel to buckle.

YOUTHS

The Ballymena Road Club youth section had a 4.8 miles time trial on the Broughshane to Ecos roundabout course. Steven Carruthers won with 13 minutes 09 seconds.