Road CLub hosts Wallace Caldwell Memorial cycle race on Saturday

This season’s race is being held five weeks earlier than last year’s event and that will make it even tougher than normal, as it is only the third weekend of the 2012 season and few riders will be fully race fit.

Nevertheless it will prove to be an excellent dress rehearsal for those seeking success in the big Easter showcase event – the P&O Ferries Tour of the North stage race - (Friday 6th April – Monday 9th April)

SPONSORSHIP BOOST

Ballymena Road Club cyclists received a boost for this weekend’s Wallace Caldwell memorial road race when two sponsorship cheques were presented to the club.

Ben Morrow of Woodside’s Chemists on Church Street and Jonathan Keys of J and R Keys tile shop, Castle Street, have both given their financial backing to the event which has been an annual fixture on the NI racing calendar for forty-five years.

Ben Morrow is himself an established racing cyclist and has taken part in the Caldwell race on many occasions over the years.

The support of these two generous sponsors will mean that the event will again carry a generous prize list which includes a £100 prize for the first rider home.

There will be prizes for the first six finishers, as well as category awards for A2, A3 junior, veteran and ladies.

Ballymena RC riders who don’t qualify for a top six or category award will have three additional ‘BRC Club prizes’ to race for.

The race starts from Galgorm and follows a route to Ahoghill, Portglenone, Maghera, Garvagh, Ringsend and then the tough climb to the Cam forest.

Then it’s a fast downhill sweep to the outskirts of Limavady before turning right and the even tougher climb up to the Springwell forest.

Then it’s on towards Coleraine before turning right on to the Garvagh road and left through Aghadowey to the Brown Trout.

The final miles take in Kilrea, Clady and Portglenone before the final test up Tully climb and on through Ahoghill to the Galgorm finish, a total distance of 78 miles. The event usually finishes between 2.00 and 2.10pm

Last year’s race was won by Adam Armstrong (Eurocycles) with a very fast time of 2 hours 58 minutes 01 seconds. BRC associate member Conor McAllister was second. Armstrong went on to win the 2011 Tour of the North.

Hugh McCullough is appealing for race marshalls and feels that help may be in short supply as the club’s.

Please make yourself available to assist, contact Hugh on 07743 240 975

For the rest f the local cycling news, see this week’s Ballymena Times.