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Downey Crowned Ulster U14 Champion

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 17:30:49 +0100

Banbridge CC once again had a successful Ulster Youth Championships with Mark Downey earning gold in both the road and time trial events in the under 14 category while James Buller earned a silver medal in the under 12 road race. The performances of the lads will be a great confidence boost ahead of this weekends Irish Youth Championships where Banbridge CC will be sending a strong squad in the hope for bringing home more medals. All those at Banbridge CC would like to congratulate Mark and James on their Ulster medals and wish all those travelling to the Irish chmaps the best of luck.

Results of the final club road race of the 2010 season which was for the Maxwell Cup, held on the Gilford/Scarva circuit.  1 Simon Curry 2 Kevin McAlinden 3 Scott Daly 4 Gareth Rodgers 5 Mark Mulligan 6 Darren Weir (Dromara) 7 Stephen Baines (East Antrim Audi) 8 Joshua Daly 9 Stephen O Neill 10 Leslie Creighton 11 Chris Burns 12 Paul Anderson 13 Jim Daly

What an Outlet for a crit

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 15:17:38 +0100

The Outlet proved to be a popular venue for both the spectators and riders alike for Banbridge CC’s criterium on Friday evening. Held as a non-open race event in it’s first edition, riders were divided between 2 races based on ability and form ensuring competitive racing. The first race of the evening was aimed primarily at club racers and was followed up by the main race of the evening for the open racers.

The first race consisted of 30 minutes plus 3 laps of racing around the closed 1km circuit with 2 prime laps, donated by Downey Cycles, at 10 and 20 minutes. While riders used the first couple of laps to get used to the new circuit it didn’t take long for a break to form with Gareth Rogers of the hosting club joined by another local Chris Magowan of Dromara CC and Gary McKee of VC Glendale. These 3 riders worked well together with McKee taking the first prime of the night after 10 minutes of racing. The 2nd prime was fought out by the remainder of the main bunch and it was Newry Wheeler rider Ivan McConville who had the edge on the line. The 3 breakaway riders continued to ride well together with the main bunch a constant threat, however the breakaway proved to be too strong and it came down to these 3 in the final lap. Catching the others napping it was Chris Magowan who made the decisive move coming into the final corner and held off a fast moving McKee to take a well earned victory. Gareth Rogers followed closely behind to claim 3rd. The remainder of the bunch stayed together and a bunch sprint was ensured for the entertainment of the growing crowd of spectators. Dromara CC rounded off a great race by having Mark McKnight and Brian McGrath take 4th and 5th respectively at the head of the bunch.

The final race of the evening lasted for 45 minutes plus 5 laps with 2 prime laps at 15 and 30 minutes and an additional bonus prime thrown in at the last minute thanks to a donation from Tommy Lamb of Cycling Ulster. With approximately 30 riders on the start line the elite criterium riders were given a handicap of 1 minute 30. The elite group consisted of some of Ulsters elite criterium talent including Roger Aiken (Planet X), Simon Williams (Juiced/Orchard), Stuart Henry (Herbalife/Wheelbase), Thomas Martin (Eurocycles), Mickey Murray (Clann Eirann) and Mark McKinley (Newry Wheelers).

Not taking any chances of being caught Banbridge CC’s young mountain bike and track star Matt Adair attacked before the elite group had even turned a wheel in anger! Joined by Darren Weir, Davy McKnight (both Dromara CC), Connor Grimes & John Heverin (both Clann Eirrann) this group worked extremely well together and reached the 15 minute mark with a healthy advantage for the 1st prime of the race. Adair put his track speed to good use in claiming the 1st prime comfortably. By this stage the scratch group of elite riders had absorbed the remnants of the main bunch and didn’t waste any time in moving clear in pursuit of the head of the race. By the time the race had reached 30 minutes the elite group had reached the front runners with only young Adair able to match their speed. Match their speed he did, taking the 2nd prime in a close sprint from McKinley of Newry much to the delight of the local supporters around the circuit. Attacks were now coming thick and fast as the front group started to thin out leaving only Aiken, McKinley, Adair, Martin and Henry at the front. As if the racing wasn’t frantic enough, Tommy Lamb of Cycling Ulster decided to donate a last minute prime prize to further spice things up! Unannounced the claxon rand to signify a prime lap, Roger Aiken responded and attacked on the tight back straight to claim the prize with ease. Thomas Martin put in a massive effort to close the impressive gap Aiken had opened and brought things back together for an exciting finale to the night. Seemingly out of the race at this stage, TT specialist John Heverin, fancied his chances at a last minute upset and solo’d his way to within reaching distance of the front group. Despite the impressive effort it wasn’t to be and it was left to the front 5 to contest the final sprint. Adair led the group through the final corner onto the long open straight, with Thomas Martin and Roger Aiken the first to jump. By the time the line came however it was Stuart Henry of the English Herbalife squad who had conserved his energy to best effect and claimed the win from Martin followed by Aiken, McKinley and Adair – an impressive ride from the 16 year old Banbridge rider.

Thanks must go out to The Outlet shopping complex for their assistance and co-operation in hosting this event. It has proved to be an exciting and ideal venue for criterium racing and hopefully the good relationship between them and Banbridge CC will continue to ensure this event can continue on the racing calendar. Thanks also to the Prime prize donations from Wheels ‘n Motion, Downey Cycles and Cycling Ulster, St John’s Ambulance for first aid cover and all the helpers and organiser from Banbridge CC who helped facilitate a safe and entertaining race for all.

Banbridge CC Trio Grab Bronze in Irish Team Sprint Champs

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 20:56:33 +0100

Banbridge CC’s results on the track continue to impress with the trio of Simon Curry, Gareth Rogers and Terry Mackin landing a bronze medal at the Irish National Team Sprint championships in Dublin on Saturday. Terry has already been setting new standards and breaking records on the track this year while both Gareth and Simon are relative newcomers to the discipline. Securing a podium spot, despite a lack of ‘track time’ together as a team, is a massive accomplishment and will drive the trio forward in search of a higher step next year.

August Racing News

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 20:50:47 +0100

As always, Banbridge CC’s road riders had a busy weekend. On Saturday, local club West Down Wheelers hosted the West Down GP in Katesbridge. Banbridge CC had Liam McKiveragan, Kevin McAlinden, Don Travers, Scott Daly and Adrian Finnigan – who had the misfortune to crash and break a collarbone in this very race last year. A last minute change of course was required after a large section of the course was resurfaced, leaving it unsuitable for passage by bicycle and leaving the race organisers and officials to rely on their knowledge of the local roads to provide an alternate circuit. Each one of the Banbridge riders were active in the numerous attacks in an attempt to beat the sprinters but with a hard working bunch were determined to get a gallop on the long straight into Katesbridge. Matt Blayney of North Down CC crossed the line first to claim the victory.

Also on Saturday, Maryland Wheelers hosted a race on the closed roads of the Ulster Grand Prix motorbike circuit. The race was to be held in memory of the late Davy McCall who was tragically killed when hit by a motorist when taking part in a cycle event. Also a motorcyclist, Davy would have been approving of the corroboration between Maryland Wheelers and the Ulster GP organisers. Representing Banbridge CC in the race was Peter Lilley who finished in the top 10 while Giant Asia professional David McCann was the winner.

Sunday brought the final day of the Irish Downhill Mountain Bike Championships in Killbroney Park. While a few of Banbridge’s cross country mountain bike aces tried their hand at the downhill competition it was left to the expertise of Gareth McKee to represent the club at the sharp end of the race. After an eventful Saturday during the seeding runs which saw Gareth crash spectacularly at high speed and damage his bike, he managed to dust himself off and finish the final in a very respectable 8th position, a little over 6 seconds behind winner Daniel Wolfe.

Luton Cup Club Race Results

Results listed in starting order.

1.    Stuart Dunlop.    36m 22s.                          11.   Ewan Anderson.    31m 03s.
2.    Paul Anderson. 30m 26s.                          12.   Matthew Adair.      24m 00s.
3.    John McAuley. 26m 26s. (visitor)                13. Freda Brown.         29m 13s.
4.    Gerry Quinn.     28m 03s.                            14. Richaed Alhudeff.   23m 46s.
5.    Chris Weir.       30m 05s. (visitor)                15. Scott Daly.            25m 09s.
6.    Mark Mulligan. 26m 32s.                            16.  Stevie O'Hagan.      26m 11s.
7.    Simon Curry.     26m 26s.                            17. Kevin Mclinden.     24m 42s.
8.    Chris Burns.     29m 42s.                             18. Gareth Rogers.      25m 19s.
9.    Joshua Daly.    27m 22s.                             19. Leslie Creighton.    28m 32s.
10.   Jim Daly.         30m 13s.                             20. Peter Lilley.           23m 30s.

Winner of the Tommy White Mem Trophy ........... Peter Lilley.
Winner of the Jack Carson Mem Trophy ............. Kevin McAlinden.

Criterium racing returns to Banbridge town

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 20:49:08 +0100

After an absence of more than 10 years, Banbridge Cycling Club will be re-introducing fast paced, spectator friendly town centre racing. Banbridge CC and The Outlet shopping complex will once again join forces to host 2 criterium races on Friday 20th August on a 1km closed road circuit around the The Outlet complex. With such a short circuit along with sponsored hot spot sprint prizes awarded in both races spectators will be able to witness the guaranteed action as it unfolds before them.

The first race of the evening, starting at 7pm, will be an inter-club race contested by club riders from the local clubs and teams, held over 30 minutes plus 5 laps. This race is expected to have the most riders of the 2 races and least predictable outcome. The hot spot sprint prizes for the inter-club race have been kindly donated by Downey Cycles, Dromore.
The second and final race of the evening, starting at 8pm, will be contested by some of the provinces finest short circuit racing talent. Held over 45 minutes plus 5 laps, the pace will be fast and the action thick as the racers will have 2 hot spot sprints to contest before fighting it out for the race win. The hot spot sprint prizes for this race have been donated by Wheels ‘n Motion, Lurgan.