Conor's Tour-iffic run

Consistent high finishing took him to third place overall, just eight seconds adrift of the race leader, Hamish Haynes of VC Ecosse, as the riders were set to contest the final stage, on what would be home roads for McAllister, at Ballymena, as the Times went to press. See next week's paper for a full rundown on the Ballymena stage.

The 98 entrants started the race with a one mile prologue time trial at Stormont on Good Friday evening.

McAllister's team mate for the event, Philip Lavery (Cycling Ulster) was fastest with 2 minutes 13 seconds with Matt Cronshaw of the strong Rapha Condor team second with 2.14 and last year's overall winner Martyn Irvine third on 2.15. Ryan Connor took seventh with 2.18 while Conor McAllister was best of the Ballymena RC riders in 12th with 2.22.

Then on Saturday Lavery was successful again. This time he led in a five rider group with Rapha's Dean Downing second on the stage over Co Down roads to Dundonald.

Conor McAllister took eighth with his brother Leo 17th, both were just 12 seconds behind Lavery.

Ryan Connor was 24th at 2 minutes 45 seconds with Philip Bremner 73rd at 10 minutes 01 seconds. (80) Chris Beattie (81) Paul Vaughan both at 24 minutes 26 seconds. This was a very tough stage with 12 non finishers, including BRC's Mark McCullough.

Sunday's stage at Limavady saw a change from the planned route as some sections of the course were covered with snow.

Instead the 86 riders tackled four laps of a 20 miles circuit which took in climbs at Drumsurn and the Cam Forest climb each lap.

This stage went to Matt Cronshaw (Rapha) who led home a group of nine riders. Conor McAllister was there in seventh place but it was second placed Hamish Haynes who took over the leaders yellow jersey after race leader Philip Lavery came in tenth at 1 minute 32 seconds.

Other Ballymena placings were (28) Leo McAllister at 1 minute 57 seconds.

(32) Philip Bremner at 5 minutes 12 seconds (57) Ryan Connor at 10 minutes 23 seconds (70) Paul Vaughan at 28.16. Nine riders, including BRC's Chris Beattie, didn't finish.

Conor McAllister was also scoring well in the king of the hills contest and going into Monday's final stage was lying second overall to Martyn Irvine.

Other Ballymena RC placings after stage three were: (16) Leo McAllister at 4 minutes 43 seconds, (46) Ryan Connor at 13.48, (48) Philip Bremner at 15.15, (73) Paul Vaughan at 52.54.

TIME TRIAL LEAGUE

The 2010 time trial league season commenced last Thursday evening with a 10 miles event at Toomebridge.

There was a turnout of 30 riders which was encouraging considering the difficult weather conditions in many parts of the country last week.

John Heverin of Clann Eireann recorded 21 minutes 38 seconds to register the win 15 seconds faster than second placed John Madden.

BRC junior rider Steven Carruthers recorded 28 minutes 01 seconds.

Results: (1) John Heverin Clann Eireann 21.38; (2) John Madden Curran Racing 21.53; (3) Nigel Laffin Madigan 22.20; (4)Niall Shannon Phoenix 22.24; (5) David Heagney East Tyrone 22.29; (6) Jonathan Dempsey East Antrim 22.34; (27) Steven Carruthers Ballymena-Scott 28.01.

WALLACE CALDWELL

MEMORIAL

After all the excitement of the P&O Tour it's back to the domestic scene this Saturday, April 10, when Ballymena Road Club–Scott Roof Tiles cyclists promote their annual Wallace Caldwell memorial road race from Galgorm (11am).

This year’s race has received generous sponsorship from J&R Keys of Castle Street, the Caldwell family and, for the first time, from Ben Morrow of Woodside’s Pharmacy Church Street, Ballymena.

It’s great to have Ben assisting the event in this way. He took part in the Easter Tour of the north and will probably be an entrant in the Caldwell race as well.

Tour apart, this will be by far the most challenging race of the NI season so far this year and the race has added importance as it forms part of the season long Ulster classic road racing league series.

Despite the prestigious status of the event, however, the Caldwell always struggles to reach the 60 rider maximum field.

This is no doubt due to the fact that the race is notoriously tough and takes in some very challenging terrain during its 76 miles route.

After assembling at Rex Bonar house the riders will head out to the “rolling start” at Galgorm from where the course will take in Ahoghill and Portglenone. There have been road works on the approach to Clady and this was considered at last Monday night’s racing committee meeting.

A diversion around the road works was decided on at the meeting with the route now to take a right turn at Weir’s pub on to the Kilrea road.

The route then takes in Kilrea and Upperlands before joining the original race route on the outskirts of Maghera on the road for Swatragh.

From there its on to Swatragh, Garvagh, Ringsend and the climb to the Cam forest before the descent towards Limavady.

Then it’s the climb up the Springwell and the descent towards Coleraine.

Next its Aghadowey and the Brown Trout before returning to Kilrea and back to Clady and Portglenone and then the final climb up Tully and on in through Ahoghill to the finish back at Galgorm, where the winner is expected at approximately 2.15pm.

OTHER DATES

Thursday 8th April - 10 miles time trial league event, 6.45 pm Templepatrick.

Wednesday 14th April - Ballymena Road Club commence their club race programme with an 11 miles Australian Pursuit race at Broughshane.

Riders are asked to assemble at Houston’s Mill well in advance of the 7pm start to enable the handicappers to sort out the starting order.

The course will take in the usual Buckna to Braid Sheddings circuit and will finish at the approach to Broughshane on the Carnlough road.

The youth section are scheduled to have a 5 miles time trial from the Braid Sheddings to Broughshane on the same night.

Race secretary Tommy Wilson has drawn up the marshalling rota for the club season and next Wednesday night’s head marshall is Bobby Currie who will be assisted by William Nelson, Sean Wright, Sammy Kerr and Adrian Swan.