BCC brace for winter action

As the winter nears an end the riders from the triathletes to the road racers have themselves ready for another outstanding season, already having top five placings at youth and senior events.

The top flight outfit have a new crop of young riders snapping at the heels of their senior team mates in what makes for exciting years to come.

The top senior racers Niall O’Hagan, recently runner up to professional rider Andy Bye, Stuart Laverty, the fastest junior in Ireland over 100 miles, Stevie McAllister winner of more road races in one year, Uel Cunningham, and Mervyn Linton, both gold medal winners in the championship team are all working hard as they prepare for upcoming stage and one day races.

On Saturday the team were at the John Moore Memorial outside Belfast. Marshall Craig and Jack Owens in the B race and O’Hagan, McAllister and Laverty in the A race with Laverty the best placed on the day.

On Sunday it was off to Gweedore in Donegal for the Youth Race team, Breandan Flannagn, Finn Sands Robinson, Robbie Doherty in the U16 race, Arthur Taggart and Kevin McCambridge in the U14 Race and young brave hearts James Black and Jake Taggart in the U12s.

Everyone performed well and apart from the local club were the biggest represented club there.

BCC chairman Maurice McAllister the secretary of the Cycling Ulster and National Youth Academies and recently added to the board of Cycling Ulster as the Youth officer, expressed on behalf of the club their delight at the crop of talent that Ballymoney CC has attracted and it will be a case of getting them looked after and making sure they are enjoying themselves in the sport.

BCC Biesty’s Centra run a mentoring programme for their youth riders, using selected A1 and senior ridersto look after them, being available to help with their bikes and training and just all round support for the youing athletes. Very popular with parents as it shows the committment to the young ones progression and safety.

With the club race season about to kick off soon, last minute fixtures are being prepared and eagerly waited on by the local cyclists.

It is expected that an announcement will be made in the next couple of weeks regarding the Sportive/Leisure scene and what has been described as the biggest health and fitness boost for local keep fit and touring cycists in the new council area.