Kevin McAlinden took victory tonight in a windy and rain-soaked first leg of the Gilchrist Cup on the Annaclone circuit.  The event which was run on handicapped order turned into a race of attrition as riders dropped out one by one in the inclement weather.  Kevin spent most of the race at the front of his group driving hard along with Charlie McConville.  Group 4, which also contained Adrian Peake, Dan Purdy, Gareth Rogers, Steve Goan and Darren Weir also picked up the hard-riding Mark Downey along the route.  Mark was riding strongly and was spotted taking turns on the front helping to push the group on.

Behind Group 4, the disintegrating scratch group containing Adrian Finnegan, Simon Curry, Aaron Wallace, Pete Lilley, Liam McGreevy and others misfired and were soon reduced to three as riders dropped out.

In the end Kevin was too strong for the rest, taking victory on the line from Charlie McConville and surely booking himself a ride in the scratch group for the Mourne Observer Cup RR on the Quarry Road in two weeks time!

1.) Kevin McAlinden
2.) Charlie McConville
3.) Adrian Peake
4.) Daniel Purdy
5.) Stevie O'Hagan
6.) Gareth Rogers
7.) Liam McGreevy
8.) Aaron Wallace
9.) Jamie Hodget
10.) Mark Downey
11.) Paul Anderson

Many thanks to the team of marshals who came to help out on such an utterly miserable night.

In other news, Banbridge Road racers will be subject to a busy racing weekend.  Across the water, Sean Downey will once again be representing in the Irish Cycling Federation at the Lincoln Grand Prix, rated as the favourite one day race on the British Cycling Premier Calendar.  Closer to home Daniel Purdy and Peter Lilley will be lining up for the Groucho’s Grand Prix in Richill on Sunday.  Known as a hard race with a tough uphill finish both riders will in be in for gruelling day.

 

On Sunday, Adrian Finnigan, Liam LcKiverigan, Peter Lilley and Aaron Wallace will be taking part in the Newry Wheelers Tour of the Mournes against a tough field from across the region.

 

Good luck to all Banbridge CC riders in their respective races.