Ballymoney CC Youths are fast becoming a leading light in cycling

The young ones are growing and progressing every week and enjoying as much success as their senior counterparts.

This weekend whilst the famous and prestigious Ras Donegal was in full flow with a Danish pro cyclist ripping around the Errigal roads, Ballymoney Cycling Club youngsters were in action at Bishopscourt motorcycle track.

Once again the Ballymoney Cycling Club Biesty’s Centra youth Team were wiping the track with Ulster’s finest youth riders.

These races, which are promoted by Dromara Cycling Club, are run in off road safety and have proved in the past to provide plenty of fast and furious racing with high winds and tough conditions making it a testing day.

Seven Ballymoney Cycling Club youth riders as well as two of the seniors were in the mix. Jack Owens taking part in the A4 race whilst Ras legend Niall O’Hagan was competing in the A1/2/3 race.

However, the highlight of the day was the Youth Races.

Ballymoney Under 12 rider Rowan Montgomery was third behind the two top youth riders in Ireland, showing them that there is another challenger on the roads and bhe will be a force to be reckoned with.

Scott Donley and Clark Logan were in fifth and sixth places in the same race. Clarke is still only Under-11. Shay Donley lapped the field apart from the second placed rider in the Under 14 races, finishing six minutes in front of the main field. He added the Bishopscourt races to his win on Wednesday night in Newry at the Seat Criterium Series. Securing two wins in less than five days is an indication of things to come for this young man who continues to show what a talent he is.

Top schoolboy, Jordan Campbell is a young man who recently showed great sportsmanship when a team mate crashed. Jordan stopped with him and stayed with the injured cyclist until he was moved to hospital, before finishing his race. This shows the character of this young lad and a sign that he is without doubt a top team man.

In the Under 16 race Dalriada schoolboys Robbie Doherty and Finn Sands Robinson were in control of the racing. The pair showed the other top racers that allymoney lad Robbie was the strongest as his team mate got a worthy fifth placing, rounding off a great day and showing the rest of the cycling world that the Ballymoney Team are the new kids on the block winning everything. Well done to the friends, parents and supporters who got the lads there and make these things happen, every week.

Ras Donegal and the An Post Ras Report and interviews will be covered in the coming weeks.

BCC Kirkhills Hard Riders TT on Wednesday night was won by local cycling collossus John Madden from Stuart Laverty, Steven McAllister and Uel Cunningham.

THIS WEEK’S EVENTS

The Monday night Leisure and Development runs continue and now there are two, one run leaves at 6.30 for the fitter group and at 7pm a new group will leave and try to get home before dark. This is for everyone who wants to improve their health on a bicycle. If we are going to not make it back before dark this group will be booking into local B B’s in the area. We may be slow but it will be fun.

Racing this week is in Dervock and will be for Seniors, Juniors and Youth racers, starting at 7.30pm. Sign on is from 6.30pm on the Castlecat Rd out of the village. All clubs as is the normal practice of Ballymoney Cycling Club are welcome at our events. The more riders the better racing.