Road Club helps raise funds for Children’s Hospice

The event was part of the continued build up to the “Billy Kerr” Sportive which is scheduled for August 16.

The Hospice is the official charity for this event and they gave the club a presentation detailing the important work they do in the province.

Those present had an enjoyable evening and the club offer special thanks to: Catherine O’Hara and Valerie Peacock from Hospice who shared their experience and played a short video. Montgomery’s Restaurant in Ballymoney Street for opening their premises and supplying tea, coffee and shortbread all free of charge. Thanks also to the BRC club members and special guests Sammy and Neill Kerr who attended.

The Hospice fund raising efforts got off to a great start last Saturday when BRC held the Danny Butler Charity Challenge from the Rex Bonar House Club rooms.

The route undertaken was a dress rehearsal for the sportive 150km route and the weather conditions were perfect.

Event organiser Nigel Kernohan said. “Thanks to everybody who participated on the charity run round the coast on Saturday and for the very generous donations for NI Children’s Hospice. We have already raised £505 and another £150 is pledged. We had 60 riders out, which was encouraging, and the weather was fantastic.

On route we caused a long queue in the Cushendall supermarket when we had a break. As well as the excellent contribution from riders, a special thanks is given to the lady in the queue who gave money for Children’s Hospice.”added a delighted Nigel.

Youth time trial.

Ballymena Road Club held a youths’ 4.8 miles time trial Michelin to Ecos and back last Monday evening. Conditions for the event were good, pleasantly warm with very little wind. It was nice to see a bit of close rivalry between Breandan McCavana and Shaun Byrne who clocked the same time - 11 minutes 39 seconds. The assistance of David Dougan (push off) and Bobbie Currie (ECOS roundabout observer) was greatly appreciated by the youth section.

Results (1) Breandan McCavana (BRC) 11minutes 39 seconds (2) Shaun Byrne (Bann Valley) 11- 39 (3) Caolan Stuart (BRC) 13- 37 (4) Fergus Byrne (BV) 13- 45 (5) Joel McCavana (BRC) 15- 18

Wright has PB in 50 as Jason wins McQuigg cup.

Ballymena Road Club held their annual McQuigg cup 50 miles time trial as part of their Northstone club race series last Wednesday evening. Conditions were wet for the race and only eight riders signed on at the start.

Veteran Sean Wright took part in what he says was only his second 50 miles time trial - the last one was in 1995. He recorded a personal best 1 hour 57 minutes 52 seconds to win the event, but only just, as second placed Jason Burns was just 7 seconds slower with 1.57.59.

Jason, however, beat his previous best time of 2.12.33 (2013) by over 14 minutes and won the handicap section and with it the McQuigg cup.

Results Fastest (1) Sean Wright 1.57.52 (2) Jason Burns 1.57.59 (3) David Dougan 2.03.23 (4) Martin Ruddy 2.08.09 (5) John Maxwell 2.12.12 (6) Bernie Monaghan (Dromara) 2.24.07 (7) Beresford Millar 2.38.15

Handicap (1) Jason Burns 1.45.26 (2) John Maxwell 1.53.47 (3) Martin Ruddy 2.00.44 (4) Sean Wright 2.03.34 (5) Beresford Millar 2.04.03 (6) David Dougan 2.04.13

CALENDAR

It’s back to the Glens this week (Wednesday) when the Star Trophy GP of the Glens road race will be held on the same circuit as the recent Glens TT. Chief marshall is Hugh McCullough and he will be assisted by Joan McCullough and David Dougan. More helpers are required for this race so please make yourselves known to Hugh if you can assist.

Going into this event Ryan Bankhead leads the club’s road racing league series after the first three rounds.

Ryan, despite not winning a round yet, has amassed a score of 26 points from two second and one third place. He has a commanding lead of 8 points over second placed Karl Taylor who has 18 points. Gary Reid is third with 16 points while there is a three way tie for fourth with Quinton McFall, Stephen Smyth and Jason Burns all on 11 points.

The league, for the William Smyth cup, has eight rounds with a rider’s best score from seven rounds to count.