Daryl proves he’s ‘Sempey’ the best in McQuigg Cup

Ballymena Road Club - Chain Reaction cyclists didn’t pass up an opportunity for some unscheduled race action last week.
Daryl Sempey won Ballymena Road Club's McQuigg Cup event last week.Daryl Sempey won Ballymena Road Club's McQuigg Cup event last week.
Daryl Sempey won Ballymena Road Club's McQuigg Cup event last week.

The club’s racing committee took advantage of what should have been a free week, on the Northstone backed club race calendar, to stage the McQuigg cup 50 miles time trial last Wednesday evening.

The race, which was postponed last month because of the road works at Dunsilly roundabout, is a qualifying distance for the club’s time trial best all-rounder competition.

This requires performances at 10, 25 and 50 miles.

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This was once the premier award and a much sought after trophy in the road club’s season but times have changed and only six riders took part on Wednesday night – and one of them was from a visiting club.

Nevertheless one cannot detract from the performances of those who did participate as Steven Workman, Jason Burns and Daryl Sempey all recorded personal best times, on what was a warm and calm evening.

Workman was fastest with 1 hour 49 minutes 18 seconds, clipping 1 minute 29 seconds off his previous best time of 1.50.47, which was recorded in 2010.

Jason Burns was second with 1 hour 51 minutes 14 seconds and this took 61 seconds off his PB which he clocked in the recent Ulster 50 miles championship.

Third place went to Eileen Burns with 1.56.51.

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Daryl Sempey recorded 2 hours 4 minutes 24 seconds for fourth place but he was to top the handicap result with his reward being the McQuigg cup.

(5) John Maxwell 2.13.40 (6) Lisa Cameron (Madigan) 2.14.10

Handicap result (for the McQuigg cup)

(1) Daryl Sempey 1.53.22 (2) S Workman 1.57.36 (3) J Burns 1.58.59 (4) J Maxwell 2.01.28 (5) Eileen Burns 2.02.17

Jason leads league.

Jason Burns has taken a clear lead in the time trial handicap league competition having amassed 20 points.

Eileen Burns is second with 18 while Daryl Sempey’s win in the McQuigg cup moves him up into third place with 17.

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Next it’s (4) Steven Workman on 13 (5) John Maxwell 7 points (6) Stephen Smyth 6 points.

The next round is tonight’s (Wednesday 22nd July) Gardiner cup 10 miles time trial at Woodgreen.

Event timekeeper and marshals are Andrew Wills, Karl Taylor and Connor Young.

The club’s time trial best all-rounder competition will be between the above five riders from last Wednesday as there are no more 50 miles counting events this season.

This also leaves John Maxwell in the driving seat for the veterans’ best all-rounder contest which he won for the first time last year.