Bann CC hold final road race of the year

The unseasonably warm weather encouraged 22 riders to sign on for the last competitive road race of the year on Wednesday past – a 10 mile time trial on the Castlewellan Road course.

This was the second of two handicap time trials in the Quinn Cup competition.

Once again time trial specialist Kevin Wilson (23.53) posted the fastest actual time with Joe Penny and the fast improving Andy Beattie tying for second place on 24.50.

Young John Buller’s 25.59 was a notable milestone for a rider getting stronger every season while at the other end of the scale Leslie Creighton (29.39) was very happy to break 30 minutes for his first time trial in two years.

The winner of the Quinn Cup, however,(best handicap times over two rounds) this year was Nathan Sturrock with runner up Charlie Glover, another young rider finding his feet quickly in his first season.

Times as follows: K. Wilson 23.53, J. Penny 24.50, A. Beattie 24.50, D. Purdy 25.16, N. Sturrock 25.35, P. Beattie 25.36, J. Buller 25.59, E. Anderson 26.25, C. Burns 26.41, N..McAllister 27.14, D, Lavery 27.24, B. Curran 27.27, Freida Brown 27.53, M. Fitzpatrick 28.39, J. Lyons 28.54, L.Creighton 29.38, G. Byrne 29.46, C. Glover 31.34, Anne Baxter 31.37, Visitors: J. McAuley (Apollo CC) 24.46, Adele McCann (unattached) 28.45.

Ulster Cross Country Series Round 5 - The final round of the popular mountain bike series took place at Craigavon lakes and it proved a huge success for local riders. The Boys and Girls U16 event were dominated by Cameron McIntyre and Shannon Buller while top Junior rider James Curry posted the fastest laps in the Senior race while winning the Junior category in that race. These performances once again highlight the strength of the MTB section in Banbridge CC– now recognised as one of the leading off road Clubs in Ireland.