Racing season now underway for cyclists

Thankfully the weather conditions improved enough to let both events actually take place.

Banbridge cycling club kicked it all off with their Annaclone Grand Prix in Co Down.

The riders were divided into two races with those in the “A” race being set off in various handicapped bunches.

Ahoghill’s Ryan Connor, who won the “A” event last year, was runner up this time, and that despite having to recover from a puncture and a slow wheel change.

Ballymena Road Club–Scott Roof Tiles rider Colin Scullion took part in the “B” race for fourth category riders. This was a scratch event with 60 entrants and Colin managed a very creditable fifth place, after being held up by a last lap crash which saw a number of riders fall.

Annaclone GP - A Race: 1. Thomas Martin (Eurocycles); 2. Ryan Connor (Irish Road Club); 3. Jonny Cole (Madigan); 4. Nathan McLeer (Curran Racing); 5. Damian McDonald (Dromara); 6. Liam Curran (Curran Racing).

B Race: 1. Terry Mackin (Banbridge); 2. James McFerran (Dromara); 3. John Smyth (Phoenix); 4. Paul McMenamin (Omagh); 5. Colin Scullion (Ballymena RC); 6. William Larmour (East Antrim).

On Sunday it was the turn of Phoenix cycling club to promote their Phoenix Grand Prix event at Nutts Corner.

A total of 150 riders took part in three races on this circuit, which included the opening round of the Ulster Women’s Association road racing league, which attracted a very encouraging entry of 30 riders.

Mark McCullough finished ninth in the “A” race (handicap event) for first, second and third category riders. The first cats failed to make up their ten minutes starting handicap.

Clifford Grant, who was riding his first open race, took tenth in the “B” race for fourth category riders.

Phoenix GP - A Race: 1. Bobby Kane (Ballymoney CC); 2. Paul Mulligan (Eurocycles); 3. Jason Henry (U/A); 4. Sean Stewart (Four Masters); 5. Gordon Scott (East Antrim); 6. Martin Henderson (Phoenix); 9. Mark McCullough (Ballymena-Scott Roof Tiles).

B Race: 1. Gary Wilson (East Antrim); 2. Barry Russell (Carn Wheelers); 3. Andrew McGibbon (Apollo); 4. Stephen Beck (U/A); 5. John Smyth (Phoenix); 6. George Boyd (Roe Valley); 10. Clifford Grant (Ballymena Scott Roof Tiles)

The women’s race saw BRC’s Maria Shannon in the lead until the final lap when she was eventually caught. Former BRC rider Elle Forrest, from Tullygarley, now sporting the colours of Bann Valley, finished in sixth place.

CLUB RUNS

There was a big turnout for the weekend club runs on Saturday and Sunday with the riders enjoying relatively good weather by comparison with what has been experienced in recent weeks,.

On Saturday the touring group completed a 50 miles ride to Carnlough and Waterfoot. They then climbed Glenariff glen where there was still vast amounts of snow lying at the sides of the road, it made for some dramatic scenery. The group also enjoyed a 50 miles ride in dry but cold conditions on Sunday morning.

The weekend rides will continue each Saturday and Sunday morning leaving from Rex Bonar House Railway Street at 9.30 am.

CALENDAR

Racing continues this weekend with the John Haldane Road Race which is promoted by Newry Wheelers on Sunday. Contact Peter McConville on 028 4173 9891 for entry details.