EARLY-SEASON PROMISE

BALLYMENA Road Club–Scott Roof Tiles cyclist Leo McAllister, from Glenarm, finished in third place in Saturday's John Moore memorial road race at Carryduff.

The event was held over a new seven miles course with a seven minutes handicap covering the field at the start.

Unlike the previous weekend at Newry, where the scratch group failed to make up their handicap, the race was quickly together and by the third of the seven laps the groups had merged and a break comprising Simon Williams (Orchard), Leo, Adam Armstrong (Eurocycles) and John Neill (Phoenix) had gone clear.

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Neill was to drop back to the main bunch leaving the other three to contest the final miles.

Armstrong attacked on the last lap and rode clear to win by 25 seconds in 2 hours 6 minutes 13 seconds for the 49 miles.

Simon Williams just got the better of Leo McAllister in the sprint for second place while the fourth rider, Jack Wilson (East Antrim), held off fifth placed Johnny Cole (Madigan), with both coming in 1 minute 22 seconds behind the winner.

PJ LOGAN CUP

Ballymena’s Colin Scullion followed up his fifth place in the Annaclone Grand Prix on the opening day of the season by going one position better at Coalisland on Sunday.

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Colin took part in the fourth category race which saw a maximum field of 60 riders take part over the Bush 100 motor cycle circuit. This was a scratch, non handicapped, event which completed 10 laps of the 4 miles course.

Three riders broke clear in the latter stages of the event and they just held off the chasing pack with victory going to William Larmour (East Antrim) from with Finbar Cummins (Phoenix) third.

Colin Scullion led in the chasers for fourth position.

The second round of the Ulster Women’s Association’s league also took place at Coalisland with victory going to Rachael Withers (Fintona) from Lisa Mann (Roe Valley) and Caroline Patterson (Dromara).

Ballymena Road Club was well represented in the results with Maeve Savage taking fifth place, Maria Shannon was seventh and Joanne Kee ninth, well done to all the Ballymena entrants in all the weekend races.

CALENDAR

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This Saturday, March 20, Michelin’s Team Bib Sport cyclists are holding a 'dress rehearsal' for their around the Lough tour which is scheduled to take place on March 27.

The club also applied to the Parades Commission advising them that this tour was taking place. This is a recent development which in some people’s opinion is not one which is very welcome.

This Saturday’s tour and the official event on March 27 will assemble at the Enkalon car park, opposite the Masserene army base, on the Randalstown road in Antrim.

The event which will start at 9.30am will complete a 75 miles circuit of the Lough in a clockwise direction.

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The 3 entry fee donation (on 27th) will cover the cost of the back up vehicle and includes for refreshments at the half way stop in Moy.

Contact Stuart Knowles on 07842 879010 for additional information.

This Saturday, March 20, will also see East Tyrone's promotion of the Ciclisport GP at Moneymore on the Springhill – Tamlacht - Loop Circuit with the race headquarters at the CNC Components and Orrlee Kitchens Factory Complex on the Main Coagh to Loup (B181) Road.

For further information contact race organiser Rod Davidson on 028 8676 5064 or visit www.easttyronecycleclub.com.

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On Sunday, March 21 the first of the Irish national classic road racing league events will take place over 135 kilometres at Termon in Co Donegal with the running of the annual John Deere event at 12 noon.

TABLE QUIZ

Local cyclists are advised to keep an eye on the local and national press this week as Ballymena Road Club’s ladies’ committee are organising a fund-raising table quiz which will take place at Rex Bonar House on Saturday night March 20 from 7pm.

The admission fee is 5 and this will include entry to the quiz, Irish stew and other refreshments. Please contact Joan McCullough at this Monday night’s club meeting if you wish to attend.

PHILIP MEETS MARY P

Ballymena Road Club’s Philip Bremner attended the recent Mary Peters’ Trust awards night function at Belfast City hall.

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Philip explains: “I received funding from the Mary Peters’ trust last year.

“When I found out that I due to receive the award it helped motivate me to do well in training and races and also helped me get equipment and supplies when I went to race in Belgium for three months.”

”I was invited to Mary Peters Trust Awards night in Belfast City Hall. Here all athletes from different sports received an award. It was a great night, as we got to meet other sports persons and also see how well the Mary Peters Trust helped each athlete.

I would like to say thank you to the Mary Peters Trust for their help and support, without their help, it would have been harder to live and race in Belgium,” added Philip.

WALLACE CALDWELL MEETING

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BRC race secretary Tommy Wilson has called a meeting of the club’s racing committee on Monday, March 29 (7.30pm) to help finalise arrangements for the Wallace Caldwell memorial road race which is scheduled to take place on Saturday, April 10.

The racing committee is the biggest of all the club’s committees and all members are urged to attend the meeting and of course also make themselves available on race day.

Committee members are Tommy Wilson, Alan Mark, Billy Jebb, Richard Wilson, Bobby Currie, Louise Fullerton, Joe McAuley, Tom Douds, John Maxwell, Alan Blair, Martin Ruddy, Hall Booth and Jackie McClean.

Unfortunately this year’s Caldwell race clashes with the touring section’s annual trip to Majorca. This will mean fewer marshalls to choose from, so if you can help please contact Tommy.

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