Ballymoney Cycling Club in first place at the Red Hand Classic

BALLYMONEY Cycling Club rider Steven McAllister rode into the record books on Saturday at Broughshane by becoming the best placed rider ever in Ballymoney Cycling Club's history by winning the A4 category and ending up 19th overall in this prestigious Cycling Classic race over 70 miles.

In bright sunshine 62 riders left Broughshane at 11am heading off into the glens of Antrim with 70miles to cover.

The pace to McGregor's corner was fast and frantic as the main players in this classic battled for the front places.

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Attack after attack saw the field stretch on the steep and deceptively hard climb into Clough but the Ballymoney three, Nigel Elder, Niall O'Hagan and Stevie McAllister fought for their places in the ever shrinking bunch.

Rider after rider was blasted out the back and on the run to Armoy glen down the back of Knocklayde to Ballycastle at speeds over 50mph!

Ballymoney CC rider Stevie McAllister had to stop twice with mechanical trouble, but special thanks to Neutral service mechanic Hugh McCullough who provided fast assistance saw a gutsy ride get the Ballymoney lad establish his place back in the small select group of riders who would battle it out for the final places.

Local rider John Madden from Ballycastle who week after week shows that he has the heart of a lion, attacking and getting into the breaks, had formed an alliance with Ryan Connor, both riders forced a gap to the main bunch of 65 seconds, and on the climb out of Ballycastle to the Vanishing Lake Stevie McAllister got settled into a group of 18 riders behind the group of nine who would get the first places at the line.

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Eventual winner Glen Kinning from the very successful East Antrim Audi team along with team mate Gary Cranston were seen driving hard at the front and by now caught the brave local rider John Madden and forced on after Team Usher rider Ryan Connor, who at the bottom of the climb out of Carnlough held a slender lead of 35 seconds.

With the field of over 60 riders now reduced to less than 30, the 9 riders at the front were ahead with 7 miles to go from Carnlough to the finish outside Broughshane.

In a well practiced sprint Glen Kinning won this glorious Classic event from Gary Cranston and Paul Vaughan.

Ballymoney riders Jason Henry and Chris Beattie were along with BCC rider Steven McAllister in the second group and all finished safely.

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With Steven McAllister being the first A4 rider at the line. Both Ballymoney CC riders Niall O'Hagan and Nigel Elder, never gave up in as we now know typical Ballymoney Cycling Club fashion rode on and finished along with others.

Both lads can take great pride in the fact they finished their first cycling Classic, and no doubt will do in many more to come.

Results were:

1st Glen Kinning (East Antrim Audi CC)

2nd Gary Cranston (East Antrim Audi CC)

3rd Paul Vaughan (Sport Active)

1st A4 Steven McAllister (Ballymoney CC) (19th)

McComb Steel TT League heats up!

On Wednesday night in misty and at times dangerous conditions, Ballymoney CC held their weekly club race from Dervock to Bushmills and back.

A distance of 10 miles. This time trial is on a "sticky" and far from quick, but a testing circuit and not one for fast times.

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The McComb Steel league is at present being fought out by three riders, Ballymoney strong man Jason Taggart, Mr Motivator Niall O'Hagan and Stevie McAllister.

The league table will be in the local press next week.

Local favourite and son of Classic winner Eddy McKinney, Bryan was the fastest on the night in an excellent time of 24 minutes 25. Congratulations and commendation has to go John and Neville Patton, Aaron Dickie, Johnny Dillon and Jerome McKendry for their excellent efforts and commitment.

Results were –

1st Bryan McKinney (BWCC) 24–25

2nd Steven McAllister (BCC) 25-20

3rd Jason Taggart (BCC) 25-37

4th Neville Patton (BCC) 26-42

5th John Patton (BCC) 27-13

6th Nat Magee (BCC) 27-27

7th Jerome McKendry (BCC) 27-40

8th Johnny Dillon (BCC) 27-43

9th Aaron Dickie (BCC) 30-44

Coming events:

Orra Mountain TT Classic – Wednesday 12 May

The entries are open for this "NEW" event promoted by Ballymoney CC, the Mountain time trial starts in Magherahoney at 7pm.

Anyone who has ridden Orra mountain knows what lies ahead of the competitors, it is a tough night's climbing combined with technical descending.

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Back down from Altnahinch to the finish at McAllister's Pub at Glenbush. With a lot of interest being shown from other clubs, the Record for this NEW TT is up for grabs. Ballymoney CC invite everyone to come along and get the "ORRA EXPERIENCE".

On Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th the club will be travelling to Hillsborough and Bangor to compete in the Tommy Given Memorial Road Race and

The North Down GP

On Wednesday night 19th Ballymoney CC will hold their FAMOUS road race on the Tullaghans circuit, anyone who has serious plans for the 2010.

Season has to ride this event. Contact Club Secretary Bobby Kane for details on 07709647330.

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