Road Club cyclists set to ‘head for the hills’!

They were set off in three groups with zero, 2 minutes 30 seconds and 5 minutes handicaps at the start.

Conditions were dry for the race and this seemed to help the front groups as the race didn’t all come back together until late on the second and final lap of the Caddy circuit.

Scratch rider Clifford Grant was first home and he summarises the latter stages of the race: “We caught the leaders half way down the Caddy road on the last lap. There was lots of attacking during the last lap from Tommy Wilson, Ryan Connor, Mickey Carroll, Simon Taggart, Jim McConnell, Connor Young and Matthew Brennan. All got gaps but were pulled back.

“Martin Robb and Peter Smyth went about 800 meters out from the finish and opened a 150m gap. I jumped across on my own and then kicked for the finish. I managed to get a good gap and had it won so I was able to ease up near the line.”

Peter Smyth held on for second and Ryan Bankhead took third.

Bankhead’s placing, combined with winning the first round at Broughshane two weeks earlier, gave him overall victory in the two race mini-series for the Tommy Smyth cup.

Results (1) C Grant (2) Peter Smyth (Team Shiny Bikes) (3) Ryan Bankhea (4) Uel Cunningham (Ballymoney) (5) Sean Wright (6) Karl Taylor (7) Richard Reid (8) Connor Young (9) Mike Carroll (10) Andrew Hedley (East Antrim)

LADIES 

(1) Emma Smyth (2) Eileen Burns (3) Claire Gillespie

Youths. The youth section had a one lap, 10 miles APR on the same circuit. Shaun Byrne (Bann Valley) was first home beating Breandan McCavana by 6 seconds. His brother, Fergus Byrne (Bann Valley) was third at 24 seconds with newcomer Hayden Ritchie fourth at 4 minutes 50 seconds.

BRC youth rider, George Graham finished third in the under 16 youth race at the “Waller cup” event in Bohermeen Co. Navan on Sunday.

APR mini league result (Tommy Smyth cup) provisional result.

(1) Ryan Bankhead 19 points (2) C Grant 17 points (3) M Carroll 10 points (4) David Dougan 9 (5) Chris Beattie, K Taylor and S Wright 8 points each (8) R Reid 6 points (9) Brian Geddis and C Young 5 points each.

BRC DONEGAL-BOUND

The very popular Ras Dhun na nGall takes place around Ardara on the last weekend of May. This year there has been a marked rise in the number of entries as the news gets around about the excellence of this event.

Those needing accommodation are advised to book as soon as possible.

The best way to do this is by contacting the event’s accommodation officer, Nora on 00353 872828793 or drop an email at [email protected] leaving your contact details and your requirements.

Available accommodation is down on last year and numbers requiring accommodation are up so give Nora a ring ASAP if you need accommodation.

Clifford Grant, BRC’s “kit man” is co-ordinating the local club’s entry for this event. Clifford outlined the details “Ballymena Road Club – Chain Reaction Cycles – have entered a six man team for one of Ireland’s toughest stage races, the Ras Dhun na nGall or Donegal Ras.

The event, promoted by Four Masters Cycling Club, will take place from May 31st to June 2nd and includes three tough road stages and a time trial. HQ for the team is Ardara in Donegal, and crucially the race will include the brutally tough climb of Glengesh Mountain Pass with gradients of up to 20 per cent. The Ballymena squad is: Karl Taylor, Connor Young, Simon Taggart, Mike Carroll, Matthew Brennan and C. Grant.

Karl Taylor said: “The Ras Donegal has been a target for the boys for some time now. It’s a massive event for us all and certainly the biggest race I have ever done!

“The peloton will have 180 riders from all four corners of Ireland so it’s definitely going to be fast and furious. It’s my first attempt at a stage race but all of us are determined to do ourselves and Ballymena Road Club proud.”

Matthew Brennan has ridden the race twice before, both times representing Cycling Ulster. The 20-year-old said: “It will be tough again this year, but stage races and the mountainous parcours suit my style of riding and I’m hoping to place well.”

Seventeen-year-old Connor has also represented Cycling Ulster this season and is looking forward to his first major stage race: “It’s great to be riding the race with such a good bunch of lads. We have a squad suited to all terrains and I’m looking forward to seeing what I can do on the big climbs.”

Simon Taggart is also hopeful of a good result having proved his stage race credentials by riding strongly in last year’s ‘Tour of the North’ and the Blair International Transport Red Hand Trophy. Simon said “The climb of Glengesh is definitely going to be tough but I’m hoping to peak my form at the right time and put in a good performance for the club”.

Mike Carroll is the ‘veteran’ rider of the squad but has been in the form of his life recently. Already this season he has won an open race and placed well in several others, gaining enough points to upgrade toA2 status. He also won the club’s first ten mile time trial of the season last Wednesday night.

Mike said: “My form at the start of the season has been really good and I will be hoping to carry it through to Donegal. We all know each other really well and we will work as a team to defend anyone who is well placed in general classification. It should be a good weekend!”

The squad will travel in the Ballymena Team’s events’ vehicle and have arranged to stay in a local Bed & Breakfast near to race HQ in Ardara. Karl extended this invite to club members - “There is limited space on the minibus, but if anyone from the club wishes to come along and act as soigneur for the weekend or simply to watch the race, please get in touch!”

Calendar

Wednesday 1st May – Ballymena Road Club’s annual Combat Cancer cup 25 miles time trial at Woodgreen 7pm. The trophy goes to the winner of the handicap section. Event observers are Lori Phillips and Donna Carroll.

Saturday 4th May until Monday 6th – May Tour of Ulster.

Monday 6th May – BRC touring section’s Touring group ride from Ballymena RC’s Rex Bonar House HQ 9.30am.

Monday 6th May – BRC youth section 4.8 miles time trial from Broughshane to Ecos roundabout and back at 7pm.