Clanns rider John in record breaking form

He was taking part in the Super Six series at Cookstown, organised by the East Tyrone club.

The third event in the series, it was also John’s third win, reducing his own course record to 20 minutes 11 seconds in the process.

There are three more trials in the Super Six series still to be run off over the next couple of months but none of his 45 rivals last Sunday were able to put even a small dent in his so far unbeaten record and he has to be seen now as a firm favourite to win the overall.

Other Clann Eireann riders in the same event were Warren McNeill and Harry Martin, both of whom recorded quality results, both well within 25 minutes.

Last week’s interclub was also a ten miles time trial and John again was a clear winner in wet and windy conditions on the Lurgan to Dromore road, recording a 21 minute 30 second result.

On the night there was greater interest as to who would come second, such was Heverin’s reputation. Young Declan Mulhoulland proved to be the cyclist to do that coming in with a great 24 minutes 04 second effort. Other Clann Eireann riders in the top ten were Marty McConville seventh on 25.11 and Kenny McConaghy on 25.31.

Next week the interclub league brings another ten miles time trial, on Tuesday evening at 7.30pm on the Charlestown Road.

There are two very tough open road events listed for this coming weekend.

On Saturday it’s the Bobby Crilly Memorial, over a tough course near Dundrod and finishing at the Divis television transmitter, an exceedingly steep final few miles.

Last year the Clanns had Michael Murray taking a great second place at the “Crilly”. Michael is just now making his way back to fitness after a lengthy period out of competition, and it will be to Marty McConville and John Heverin that we will look to for a good result.

Sunday next brings the popular Noel Teggart Memorial races at Banbridge. Organiser Aaron Wallace is pulling out all the stops with a programme of events for all senior categories as well as youth events. The Banbridge races are listed to start at 12 noon, and there should be a good representation from the Lurgan club in most races.