Not only has Sammy won the title he has also established a new club record in doing so.

Francis Henderson presented a new trophy for this competition in the 1999 season and since then only two riders have won it, Bobby Currie and Sammy Kerr. In fact Bobby Currie held the record with "plus" 61 minutes 03 seconds since 2007.

The veterans' contest is unique in that each rider has a "standard time" which he has to attain or beat. This target varies depending on the age of the competitor and gradually diminishes as age increases.

Sammy achieved an actual time for 10 miles of 24 minutes 56 seconds which beat his age standard time by 8 minutes 22 seconds. At 25 miles he recorded 66 minutes 08 seconds which was 18 minutes 52 seconds better than "par" while at 50 miles Sammy clocked 2 hours 12 minutes 32 seconds, which was an amazing 43 minutes 56 seconds better than the standard for a man of his age. Overall Sammy's winning total added up to plus 71 minutes 10 seconds.

Bobby Currie finished second with plus 58 minutes 57 seconds with Jim Burns close behind in third with plus 58.10.

This year ten riders qualified and the rest of the results are: 4. Dominic Drumm plus 50.01; 5. Derek Dougan plus 33.58; 6. Martin Ruddy plus 33.20; 7. John Maxwell plus 32.58; 8. Adrian Kerr plus 25.14; 9. David McClean plus 23.21; 10. Tom Douds plus 22.19

Sammy had a great season and enjoyed success in the time trial handicap league series in which he finished second just 3 points behind the winner Adrian Kerr.

He also took seventh place in the club's road racing league series, which included an excellent second place, to Ryan Connor, in the Star trophy Glens road race at Broughshane on 1st July.

Sammy was also fifth in the Australian pursuit mini series, having won the opening round at Broughshane on 15th April.

FUN TOUR

Saturday's BRC fun cycle tour attracted a total of 65 riders, 17 of whom earned their bronze medals having completed five tours.

Ballymena was shrouded in mist but the groups headed for higher ground and by Ballymarlow the tourists enjoyed warm sunshine.

They completec a testing and hilly 36 miles route which took in Kennelbridge road, Lisnahilt road, Douglas road, Glenwherry and on out the Larne road to the high point of the tour at Killalane reservoir.

Then it was down Ardymagh road to Ballynashee road and across Whappstown road and Lislunnan road, eventually coming out at Steeple road and then descending to Kells and riding back to the finish via the Liminary road.