Podium positions for Road Club duo

THERE was racing at three local venues on Saturday with events at Dundrod, Katesbridge and Toomebridge on offer.

ULSTER GP

The inaugural running of the David McCall trophy road race took place over two laps, 15 miles, of the Ulster Grand Prix motor cycling circuit just before the UGP road races on Saturday morning.

David McCann dominated and won on his own well clear of the field and in front of a packed grandstand.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Ballymena's Conor McAllister just failed to beat early leader Glen Kinning in the dash to the line, where the East Antrim rider took the verdict for second place by inches.

BRC's Philip Bremner took part too and he was placed just outside the top six. Philip entertained the crowd by pulling a wheelie after he had finished.

WEST DOWN GP

Mark McCullough also had a third place finish on Saturday.

This time the riders were in action in the West Down Wheelers' Grand Prix event for third and fourth category riders at Katesbridge.

All the riders were together for a mass bunch sprint which saw North Down's Matty Blayney edge through to take the win just ahead of relative unknown, Anthony Doyle (Unattached).

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Third and fourth place was a difficult call with Ballymena's McCullough and Andrew Hedley of Bikeworks neck and neck. In the end the online camera gave it to McCullough.

SUPER SIX

Ballymena Road Club –Scott Roof Tiles – riders held their 'postponed' 10 miles time trial in conjunction with the "Super six" and Ulster women's association events on the Toomebridge by-pass on Saturday morning.

This race was hastily rearranged after the A26 Antrim road course was deemed to be unsafe due to the commencement of road works.

Matthew Brennan was fastest in the BRC result with 23 minutes 29 seconds. Clive Morris was second with 26.17 and Louise Fullerton took third with 26.41 (4) John Maxwell 27.15 (5) Bobby Currie 28.50.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The handicap was won by Clive Morris with 24.20; (2) Brennan 24.58 (3) Maxwell 25.52 (4) Fullerton 26.35 (5) Currie 27.57.

The BRC handicap league is very close with just one event remaining and it will be some time before the final outcome is known as a suitable date has yet to be arranged for the Ernie Mark cup 25 miles time trial.

This race was on the calendar for tonight, Wednesday 18th August, but again the same road works have caused its postponement.

The current league positions read: (1) Steven Workman 27 points (2) Matthew Brennan and Clive Morris 25 each (4) Derek Dougan 13.5 points (5) Beresford Millar 10 points.

LADIES

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The ladies event on Saturday saw Rachael Withers (West Tyrone velo) claim maximum points when she recorded a winning time of 25 minutes 55 seconds. Second place went to Bann Valley's Elle Forest with a time of 26.19.

Louise Fullerton (Ballymena RC) maintained her strong challenge for overall victory with third place in a time of 26.41.

Louise is leading the league with 108 points. Seven of the league's eight rounds have now been completed in the series with a rider's best six results to count. Julie Mulligan (Omagh) is 7 points behind in second. Withers is in third on 98 points but, as she has only taken part in five events, any points gained in the final round will be added to her total.

Details on the final round will be made available by the UWA as soon as they have made a decision on the date and location.

INTER-CLUB LEAGUE

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The final round of the Ballymena RC Bann Valley Carn Wheelers and Bann Wheelers inter club league, four race series took place at Kilrea on Tuesday night.

Bann Valley were the hosts and a dry sunny evening greeted the riders who signed on for the event which was held over 5 laps of the Gortmacrane course.

The limit group stayed ahead until the final metres where they were finally caught by the second group, however the scratch group failed to overcome their substantial handicap and were still some distance behind at the finish.

Aidan Higgins led a clean sweep, on the night, for Carn Wheelers who also had their riders, Ryan Walsh and Rodney Young second and third.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Stephen Walsh of Carn Wheelers was the clear winner of the league with 23 points.

There was a four way tie for second with David Dougan best for Ballymena Road Club –Scott Roof Tiles. David won the opening round when the H&M Wilson cup road race took place at Slaght. Also sharing second overall were Kyle Cromie (Bann Wheelers) Aidan Higgins and Rodney Young.

Ballymena Road Club’s Brian Geddis was sixth overall with 8 points while Martin Ruddy and Alan Blair were equal 12th on 5 points each.

Louise Fullerton shared first place in the ladies league with Kay Hack (Bann Wheelers)

CALENDAR

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Wednesday 18th August: The Ernie Mark cup 25 miles time trial scheduled for Woodgreen has been postponed because of the ongoing road works on the A26. this event will be re-scheduled after the completion of the road works.

Sunday 22nd August. Ulster road race championships promoted by Phoenix CC. HQ Crumlin community centre 11am.

Sunday 22nd August. Bann Valley cycling club will hold their annual “Tour of the north coast” from Portglenone community centre.