Aiken gets his fourth Beggs win

WINNING the John Beggs Memorial race is becoming a bit of a habit for Dromore rider Roger Aiken.

Always hard to beat in what is recognised as his home race, Roger; a member of Banbridge CC riding on the Planet X team for 2010, beat former FBD Ras winner Stephen Gallagher in a 2 up sprint after completing SIX laps of the hilly circuit, known as one of the toughest in the province.

Roger's most recent victory at the weekend brought his tally of wins in the race to four, meaning he has won the race more times than any other cyclist. Other cyclists who have held the title on three seperate occasions also happen to have been members of Banbridge CC; Seamus Downey and Tommy Evans.

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The John Beggs Memorial, the second round of the Ulster Classic League, started as a handicaped race with the largest of the bunches made up of A3 riders starting first on the road with a four minute advantage over a hard working bunch of A2's. Last to roll out were the A1 riders who had a further 3.5 minute deficite to make up, and they did. Quickly.

Despite some hard riding in the front two bunches the A1's stamped their authority on the race, catching the front of the race early on the fourth lap and they didn't leave it there.

Once the race was mostly all together a group of six quickly established a break and pulled out a gap of over aminute in what seemed like an instant. The group of 6 contained Frazer Duncan (EuroCycles), Simon Williams (Juiced Orchard), Adam Raynor (Basso UK), Gray Cranston (Audi / East Antrim), Stephen Gallagher (Sigma Sport / Specialized) amd Roger Aiken (Planet X).

A few smaller groups, including Peter Lilley (Banbridge CC) and Liam MCGreevy (Planet X) tried to get across to the front six, but it was too late - the horse had bolted. Working well together, the gap to the front six continued to grow until the final ascent of Ballykeel hill when the group spilt after a number of attacks.

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Aiken and Gallagher proved to be the strongest and mover clear on their own with Aiken outpowering Gallagher on the final uphill sprint. Frazer Duncan finished some 30 seconds behind in third, followed by Williams, Cranston and Raynor, who also lifted the Sean Mcgreevy Memorial trophy as first Junior.

The 'B' Race, consisting of only A4 riders was a massed start event. Despite several attacks by groups to move clear of the bunch, the most significant of which contained Banbridge CC's in-form A4 Adrian Finnigan, the race finished in a bunch sprint.

Again it was the local riders that were to the fore with neighbouring club Dromara CC who has cause to celebrate with their riders James McFerron and Gavin Magowan claiming the top 2 spot of the podium. Nevin Smyth (RT Autoparts/ East Tyrone), Brian McComb (RT Autoparts/ East Tyrone), Stephen McCallister (Scotts/Ballymena RC) and Lance McCarthy (Castlereagh/Planet X) rounded out the top six.

Banbridge CC also hosted a full programme of youth events. Jake Gray (Juiced Orchard) ran out the victor in the U12s while Mark Downey’s solo victory ensured another popular home win for the Banbridge CC. Newry Wheelers Cormac Clarke domintated the U16 race, claiming victory that event.

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