Congratulations to Ryan Connor on taking victory in the Annaclone Grand Prix where over 100 riders took to the road on a cold windy day in two seperate events. In the ‘A’ race, Vets had a five minute head start on S1 and S2. Veterans Ronnie Smyth (Dromara CC), Barry Monaghan (Newry Wheelers), Sam Craig (North Down CC) and Tony Boyle (Castlereagh CC) forged ahead with an early break from their pack. Behind the vets a dangerous early break involving Ryan Connor (Usher IRC), David McCann (Pheonix CC), Liam Curran (Team Curran Racing), Tony Brady (Rock Racing) and Kirk Sloan (Ards CC) left the remainder of the scratch group chasing for the rest of the day, dashing the hopes of local favourite Roger Aiken (Banbridge CC). On the penultimate lap, the breakaway Vets - now minus Ronnie Smyth - were still ahead, while in scratch Connor and Brady broke away, with Liam Curran getting across to join them. In the end Ryan Connor proved too strong, coming home first well ahead of runner-up Tony Brady who outsprinted Barry Monaghan who held on to take third.
The ‘B’ race stayed together for most of the race, the only excitement coming from a solo effort for about one lap from Philip Bremner. Although Bremner was eventually reeled back in, he proved too strong in the exciting bunch sprint to the line, taking the win by centimetres from Stuart Henry (North Down CC) and third placed Mark Sweeney (Omagh Wheelers).
Banbridge CC was well represented, with Peter Lilley, Liam McGreevy, Liam McKiverigan,
Dan Purdy and Michael Curran all finishing in the main bunch. Technical problems saw both Aaron Wallace and Willie Mulligan retire from their races, the tough course proving too much for the Kuota and the Specialized respectively! Vet Simon Curry dropped out after a puncture and Jon Runciman retired with one lap to go, leaving Stephen O’Hagan to finish the last lap of the vets race on his own.
Thanks to all the marshals, time keepers, drivers who helped out and to race organiser Stevie Curran and sponsor Travers engineering and to everyone else who helped out to make the day run so well.
The next day three Banbridge cc riders Peter Lilley, Aaron Wallace and Adie Finnegan rode the Phoenix GP and again finished in the bunch this was a good result as the race was a fast 23.3 mph average.
Click for Photos of Annaclone G.P.
For more pics by Marian Lamb and a report by Tommy Lamb see also cyclingulster.com
Dan Purdy and Michael Curran all finishing in the main bunch. Technical problems saw both Aaron Wallace and Willie Mulligan retire from their races, the tough course proving too much for the Kuota and the Specialized respectively! Vet Simon Curry dropped out after a puncture and Jon Runciman retired with one lap to go, leaving Stephen O’Hagan to finish the last lap of the vets race on his own.