Ballymoney C.C.’s Arthur Taggart is new Irish Youth Track Champion

At the Irish National Youth Championships held at Orangefield, the Ballymoney High school pupil blasted past the best in Ireland to win gold in the time trial, gold in the sprint, gold in the scratch race and gold in the Interprovincial team prize.

Team mate Shay Donley won bronze in the Interprovincial Team prize. This event has seen winners in the past like former Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and world professional cycling Champion Steven Roche.

The Irish National Youth Track championships were held this year at Orangefield, Belfast and saw the event run over two days due to rain. The top track youth riders assembled to take part in this prestigious event and with the Olympics in Brazil in 2016 the focus was very much in letting the selectors see how well you could perform.

Ballymoney’s Arthur Taggart was head and shoulders above the rest and secured his place in history with his four gold medals being brought back to Ballymoney to add to the ever grow tally of awards being won by the top flite outfit.

Arthur is the first ever Ballymoney CC rider to win National Gold medals for the club.

TOP PLACES AT BALLYRONAN LOUGH NEAGH TRIATHLON

Ballymoney Cycling Club Tri Team were out in a full strength at the Sprint and Ultra Sprint Triathlon at Ballyronan on the shores of Lough Neagh at the weekend.

This event was held in warm and pleasant conditions opening with the open water swim in the lough followed by the cycle and finished off with the run through the forest and finishing back at transition.

15 BCC Triathletes took the start including newcomer to the team Simon Daly, along with his team mates Sonia Knox, Julie Sittlington, Norma Snelling, Donna McCook, Julie Robb, Eddie Hampton, triathlon icon Charles ‘Chuck’ Russell, Davy McAvoy, Scott Bell, Janine Gordon, Ricky McMaster, Chris Surgeoner, Claire McAvoy and recent competitior at the Dublin Ironman 70.3, Graeme Morrison.

The top placings were not long in racking up with Chris Surgeoner getting third junior, Claire McAvoy second overall and first place in the AC, Sonia Knox second in AC and Janine Gordon getting third. Charles Chuck Russell, winner of his AC at the London Triathlon in 2012 was second in AC at Ballyronan. With their team mates cheering them on at the finish a mammoth performance was put on the the BCC Tri Team and all round great results added to the growing tally of achievements.

SURGENOR AND LAVERTY WIN THE 10 TTs

BCC Race Team riders Uel Cunningham and Stuart Laverty won the Ballymoney and Dunloy hosted time trials at Lislagan and Ballybogey.

Uel Cunningham a gold medal winner last season was back in action after a few weeks break beat team mate Steven McAllister on a tough evening on the Ballybogey Road. Uel returned a time of 22:42.

The following evening on the Finvoy Road the BCC outfit were in action again and missed out in the top three placings by a brilliant ride by Ballycastle racer Shane McNeill who was second behind the fast finishing Laverty.

In third and fourth pace were Laverty’s team mates Steven McAllister and the previous night’s winner Uel Cunningham.

Ballymoney CC club youth 10 mile TT records were set on the Wednesday evening by Finn Sands Robinson Under 16 - 24:33 and in the Under 14’s Kevin McCambridge set a blistering 24:47. Woman’s racer Claire McAvoy did a 25:03 to get the top woman’s placing that evening. 37 riders took the start.

COMING EVENTS

This Wednesday evening is the McAllister Road Race Trophy Race, starting on the Finvoy Road, it heads to Rasharkin, Cullybackey, back through Glarryford, Dunloy Lislagan and back to the finish at the lay by on the Finvoy Road.

This is a 30 mile road race on the loop circuit and everyone is invited to take part

Sign on is at 6.30pm and racing starts at 7pm

This Saturday is the Ulster Youth TT and Road Race Championships at Newtownstewart, Ballymoney Cycling Club will be looking to mix it up with the best in the province, a full report next week.