Bann Wheelers make a good start to the new season on two wheels

Jane Millar finished third at PJ Logan Cup road race near Coalisland on 29th March.

Jane has been riding very well consistently, early in the season and has brought about an invite to be considered for selection for the Ulster Women’s Cycling team in the 2015 Rás na mBan, international stage race in County Clare.

The team will be made up of five female riders so good luck and well done Jane.

Nigel Watt takes fifth place

Congratulations to Nigel Watt who finished fifth in A4 at the Cicli Sport Race on 28th March.

Also well done to Mark Johnston, Aaron Millican and Glen Howe who all finished well in the A3 race.

Gareth McLaughlin rode well, leading the A4 race but was unfortunately brought down close to the finish.

Darren takes third at Carn

Carn Wheelers held their annual road race at Maghera on 22nd March.

Racing was held on a rolling 14 mile circuit. The A4 riders completed three laps of the course.

As usual there was lots of movement in the bunch but at first no-one was getting away. Eventually one rider made a brave move and opened a gap on the field.

He stayed out on his own for a considerable time until the bunch eventually reeled him back in. It came down to a bunch sprint in the end which was taken by Chris Lawlor of VC Glendale.

Well done to Darren Hutton, just pipped to second place, with a great third place. This is yet another great result for Darren so early in the season and is proving that the hard work over the winter is paying off.

Also very well done to Russell Young who was ninth and Brian Doherty who took 10th place in the Masters race.

Jane and Mark take

podium at Danny Boy Road Races

Two podium placings for Bann Wheelers at Roe Valley’s Danny Boy road race in Feeny.

Congratulations to Jane Millar second and Mark Johnston third in their respective races.

Mark is now upgraded to A3 - it was only a matter of time Mark!.

Great turn out from Bann Wheelers who represented the club in every race, Masters, Ladies, A3 and A4.

Thanks for those who travelled both by bike and car to cheer everyone on during the day’s racing.

Brian wins first Masters Race in Letterkenny

Brian Doherty took first place in the Masters road race in Letterkenny.

This is a great first win for Brian and all the training is paying off. He is sitting ‘very pretty’ in the overall league and it is all there for the taking.

Great Result. The interview afterwards was that of a true Bannwheeler C.C. ambassador - the club is very pleased for Brian, you did us all proud, hopefully only the start of things to come.

Mark third in Spires CC Road Race

Mark Johnston had a great result getting on the podium early in the season, coming third in the Spires C.C. Road Race.

Mark has shown that he is going to be a contender for the podium in a lot of races this season.

Good luck Mark, there will be a lot more to come throughout the season.

Jane finishes fourth at the McCann Cup Fintona

Mark Cavendish reckons that cyclists lack a certain gene that tells them when they really should not be doing something and that was certainly the case this at the Phoenix GP.

Over two hundred cyclists descended on the new Crumlin Leisure Centre in pouring rain, temperatures barely above freezing and gale force winds to sign-on for the George Rooney Phoenix GP road race - utter madess!

However line up they did and the 80 strong A4 race took to the roads around Nutts Corner to cover five laps of the 7.8 mile circuit.

There were quite a few newcomers in this event and they proved to be very strong indeed.

The pace was fast and althiugh the bunch stayed mainly together there were attempts to get away. However it was no day to be hanging out by yourself and the breaks were soon reeled in.

Congratulations to Conor Bradley who was fourth and Darren Hutton who was seventh in the Phoenix GP A4 race.

Congratulations also to Glen Howe who was fifth in the Phoenix GP A3 race.

For more photographs and information on the events, visit the photo gallery under the PHOTOS menu option on the club website www.bannwheelers.com.