Ballymoney Cycling Club in 100 mile thriller

This is a Leisure Challenge organised by North Pole CC in Donegal.

100 scenic miles of Donegal beauty around the Innishowen peninsula and 4000 feet of climbing was in store.

At 9.30am approx 300 riders rolled out of Buncrana, included was the sensational winner of the Race around Ireland 2009 Joe Barr, Joe uses these type of events in preparation for his eventual assault on the "Race across America" with a feisty tailwind the massive group exploded into bits on the fast section down the peninsula through Moville and Greencastle.

At Shrove the riders were faced with the first Cat 1 climb of the day. Cookes Hill to Kinego Bay. On this the Ballymoney CC support team of Davy Wallace and driver Maurice McAllister were kicked into action, Broken chains, dropped water bottles and stalling riders littered the two mile monster, first over the top for Ballymoney CC was Audi GP winner Bryan McKinney, followed by teammates Stevie McAllister, Niall O'Hagan, Jason Taggart, Olly Bateson, Johnny and Dessie Dillon, Nigel Elder, Hugh McConaghie, Jerome McKendry and Jeff McLaughlin in the front groups.

The rest of their teammates were close behind on the dangerous descent into Kinego. A regrouping took place on the run for Malin head and onto the most northerly part of Ireland and into the torturous climbs on bad roads the tiring remnants faced the cliffs and ascents of Carnmallin and onto Carndonagh.

The service crew spent the day travelling up and down the groups handing out energy drinks and gels and fixing mechanicals not only to BCC riders but to other cyclist taking part.

This done in the free and supporting nature of cycling and they received countless emails and text messages from riders last night expressing their appreciation for the crews action.

Nat Magee Ballymoney Cycling Club Chairman, sent a message of support and congratulations to everyone not only from BCC but other clubs who took part and successfully completed this arduous event.

With groups all over the roads they now faced a monster climb called Mamore Gap, this coming at 85 miles for some can be a bridge too far, but the Ballymoney CC was at the head of every group on this final climb, steeped in Irish Cycling history, being used in the FBD Ras and the Tour of Ireland. First riders for Ballymoney CC to the top were Stevie and Bryan, and too everyone's amazement, both lads stopped at the top, turned round and cycled back down the gap to accompany their other teammates into the finish.

This was commended by onlookers and organisers as the unselfish actions of the riders who all waited on each other and the Ballymoney CC train rolled into Buncrana, all 16 riders together punching the air with delight exchanging handshakes and friendly banter was followed by a magnificent spread of food to help them on the way back to the Toon.

Steven McAllister wins Bendooragh Road Race

When the flag dropped on Wednesday evening at Bendooragh for the Ballymoney CC weekly club race, the front group of Robbie McIlderry, Jeff McLaughlin and Aaron Dickie set about taking this race to the other 22 competitors. The rest of the field was made up of riders from Ballymena, Ballycastle, Omagh, South Derry and Coalisland. Such are the popularity of the Ballymoney CC races as they are being used by riders preparing for other upcoming events.

Split into four groups, and in a frenetic pace the five laps of the Bendooragh, Balinamore circuit totalling 25miles was to be covered in just over the hour with the winner Stevie McAllister averaging just under 25mph.

Johnny Dillon, Dessie Dillon, Jason Taggart, Ronnie Kidd Jerome McKendry and Nigel Elder along with wily club chairman Nat Magee were putting the hammer down hard as they were on the hunt of the two groups on front of them.

Aware that O'Hagan, McAllister, McKinney, Chris Beattie and the rest of the top scratch bunch were only seconds behind.

Into the last lap and despite heroic efforts by the talented schoolboy, Robbie McIlderry to stay away the whole race came together for the sprint finish. But McKinney, Taggart and O'Hagan know that to bring Stevie Mac to the finishing 300mtres is a bad idea. So in the now trademarked style of Ballymoney CC, when all else fails attack attack attack, this was the game plan. Rider after rider launched blistering sprints out of the group in attempts to escape before the sprint finish. Through Glenstall on the final drag, everyone was together and out of the final corner McAllister hit the 1500 watts of power sprint for the line followed by team mates, Niall O'Hagan and Nat Magee all from the local club.

Final results were:

1st Stevie McAllister (BCC)

2nd Niall O'Hagan (BCC)

3rd Nat Magee (BCC)

4th Dean McIlfatrick (BVCC)

5th Chris Beattie (BRC)

6th Robbie McIlderry (Schoolboy)

7th Jason Taggart (BCC)

8th Johnny Dillon (BCC)

9th Jerome McKendry (BCC)

10th John Patton (BCC)

Congratulations to John Madden from Ballycastle. Ballymoney Cycling Club would like to congratulate John on receiving the bronze medal for best veteran and his excellent 7th place in the Road race and time trial in Sligo at the weekend. These are the national championships and are prestigious in the world of cycling. Again well done John on your success.

Coming events

This Saturday, Ballymoney CC riders Charley Dickson and Chris Frew are doing the Larne-Cushendall-Larne Coastal Charity Challenge, anyone else from the club who would like to join up with the two lads can contact Charley on 07841560526.

On Wednesday night the club weekly race is on the Tullaghans Road Race circuit. This race starts at 7pm and all club members not riding are asked to attend as we require officials and marshalls to secure the safe running of this race.

The Ras Loughguille on the 10th 11th of July is being finalised in the plans and full details will be submitted to the press next week. This is a two day 3 stage event with children's fun races being held along side the senior races.