Cyclists line up for Red Hand Trophy race

BALLYMENA Road Club-Scott Roof Tiles cyclists are scheduled to hold their annual Red Hand Trophy road race at Broughshane this Saturday 8th May.

The event, which is a round of the Ulster classic road racing league series, will once again receive generous sponsorship from Blair International Transport.

The 60 rider maximum field restriction will apply to the event and because of this riders must enter prior to the race.

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Hopefully the entry will fill up this week, but if you are thinking about taking part then contact race organiser Tommy Wilson before Saturday.

Last year the race made history when a dead heat was declared at the finish after the judges couldn't separate Ahoghill's Ryan Connor and Glen Kinning (Castlereagh) and that was despite viewing two different photographs of the finishing sprint.

This was the first time the honours have ever been shared in this Ballymena Road Club Scott Roof Tiles promotion and it came at the end of a thrilling 68 miles race, which saw the leaders never any more than 55 seconds ahead.

Only 45 headed out from Broughshane last year and it is vital for the future of the race that a full field starts this time.

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The organisers will be hoping for good weather too as torrential rain greeted the finish of the race last season but if anything this added to the drama as the front pair emerged out of the gloom and into the view of the waiting spectators. On that occasion Kinning opened up the sprint but Connor closed right up at the line and they just couldn't be separated and both riders agreed to the honours being shared and history was made.

Ryan Connor has a great record in the Red Hand Trophy event.

He won it in 2001 at his first attempt when he was in his first season's racing. Ryan last won the race outright in 2007.

Racing will commence from the Broughshane community centre on the Knockan road at 11am.

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From there it is a hilly start out to Rathkenny and Clough before heading on for Loughguille and Armoy.

Then it's down Glenshesk to Ballycastle before the climb to Ballyvoy and on up the hill to Ballypatrick forest and on past the Vanishing Lakes.

A fast descent then follows which takes the riders over the Glendun viaduct and on to Cushendall.

Then it's around the coast road to Carnlough before the final climb up Glencloy and on in through the Braid to the finish back at Broughshane, where the leaders are expected at approximately 1.30pm

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Alan Blair's sponsorship ensures a winners prize of 100. There are prizes for the first six as well as the "unplaced" second and third category seniors and lady.

In addition to these there are also prizes for the first three Ballymena RC riders who don't pick up a prize in the main list.

As usual a big team of marshals are required to run the race. Please make yourself available to the race organiser if you are able to assist.

10 MILE TT LEAGUE

Ballymena Road Club’s Leo McAllister kept the family name at the top of the results when he tied for first place at last Thursday night’s 10 miles time trial league event at Ballydonaghy.

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Leo and Colm Cassidy both recorded a time of 21 minutes 30 seconds to top the result on what was a very cold evening for racing. BRC’s Martin McKernan clocked 26 minutes 46 seconds.

Results: (1=) Leo McAllister Ballymena Scott Roof Tiles and Colm Cassidy (Irish Road Club) both 21 minutes 30 seconds (3) Niall Shannon (Phoenix) 21.41 (4) Nigel Laffin (Madigan) 21.47 (5) Richard Watters (Harps) 22.01 (6) Jay Gault (Phoenix) 22.16.Other BRC - Martin McKernan 26.46

TOUR OF ULSTER

The Tour of Ulster took place over the may bank holiday weekend.

P&O Tour of the North winner Philip Lavery won the opening 91.5 miles stage at Dungannon where he led in Malcolm Elliott and Wallace Caldwell Memorial race winner Stephen Gallagher.

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Conor McAllister came in with a group of 23 riders which was racing for sixth place; however they were 2 minutes 46 seconds behind the winner. Ryan Connor was another 12 seconds back while Philip Bremner finished the stage at 11 minutes 25 seconds.

There were two stages on Sunday with a 92 miles road race taking the riders around Lough Neagh in an anti clockwise direction. Conor Murphy (Eurocycles) won the stage from Charles Prendergast (Black rose) with Malcolm Elliott third at 1 minute 58 seconds. Philip Bremner and Conor McAllister came in with a big group at 3 minutes 48 seconds with Ryan Connor 46th at 4.13.

Conor McAllister finished fourth fastest in Sunday evening’s 1.4 miles time trial stage and moved up to equal 11th place overall as a result of his day’s efforts.

General Classification after first three stages: (1) Malcolm Elliott 7 hours 11 minutes 10 seconds (2) Philip Lavery at 15" (3) Adam Armstrong at 16" 11th Conor McAllister at 4.32 28th Ryan Connor at 5.17 48th Philip Bremner at 13.23.

CALENDAR

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Wednesday, May 5: Ballymena Road Club will hold a 25 miles time trial at Woodgreen starting at 7 pm from Graham’s kitchens car park. Entrants are reminded that they must have a rear facing red light fitted (and operating) to their bike.

A number of riders had to borrow lights at last weeks APR race at Slaght, some of these weren’t returned to the timekeeper, please ensure that they are handed back this week.

The second round of the Ulster women’s association time trial league will also take place at Woodgreen in conjunction with the BRC club race.

Thursday 6th May: 10 miles time trial league Glenshane road Maghera at 7pm.

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Saturday 8th May: Blair International Transport Red Hand Trophy, Broughshane 11am.

Wednesday 12th May H&M Wilson cup road race Slaght corner 7pm.

This event forms part of the inter club series of races which are being hosted by Carn wheelers, Bann Valley and Bann wheelers this season.

The event marshalls are being co-coordinated by Richard Wilson and he will be assisted by Sean Kelly, Patsy McGurk, Millar Montgomery, Tommy Mairs, Peter Cuthbert, and Seamus Butler.

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The club will be hoping that everything runs smoothly for the H&M Wilson cup which takes place over the Caddy circuit. Last weeks APR on the same course had to be abandoned after the first lap when a road traffic accident on the Whitesides road caused the road to be blocked and rendered it impossible to continue with the event. No date has been set for the re-run but it is likely to be at the end of the season as there is a full calendar of mid week events in place until then.

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