David wins a belter at Bellaghy!

The event was very well supported this year with 41 riders taking part in the eight laps, 24 miles, senior and junior race. The entrants were set off in four groups with zero, two, three and three minutes 30 seconds handicaps.

The three first category scratch riders, who included Ahoghill's Ryan Connor, caught group three on the second, three miles, lap. By the end of the fourth lap groups two, three and four were all together while the limit group still led by 90 seconds.

Then, on lap five, Ballymena RC's David Dougan and Cathal Boyle (Carn Wheelers) broke clear and led by 10 seconds. At the end of lap six their lead was 20 seconds and at the bell they still held a slender advantage of just 12 seconds but it looked as though the winner would come from the faster scratch men's group.

However David Dougan had other ideas and he kicked again to cross the line first and beat Glen Kinning by a bikes length. Well done David on a thoroughly attacking performance. Next best for BRC were Uncle and nephew Clifford Grant, who, in ninth place won the veteran's prize and Matthew Brennan, tenth and first junior prize.

The youth race was held over one lap of the circuit with victory going to Adam Kerr from East Tyrone's Harry McCombe and Adam McCullough. (4) Marc Moody (5) Stefan Wills.

Results: 1. David Dougan (Ballymena Scott Roof Tiles); 2. Glen Kinning (East Antrim); 3. David Neill (Madigan); 4. John Neill (Phoenix); 5. Peter Lilley (Banbridge); 6. Ryan Conor (IRC); 7. Cathal Boyle (Carn Wheelers); 8. Warren Polly (North Down); 9. Clifford Grant (Ballymena) 1st Veteran; 10. Matthew Brennan (Ballymena) 1st Junior; 11. David Clarke (Madigan); 12. Andrew Hedley (Bikeworks); 13. D McNicholl (Roe Valley CC); 14. Jonny Beers (East Antrim); 15. Jason Henry (U/A).

Other Ballymena road club finishers were: 21. Chris Beattie; 22. Brian Geddis; 28. Martin Ruddy; 29. Alan Blair; 30. Stephen Carruthers, Adrian Kerr, Beresford Millar, Tom Douds, William Nelson and Dermot Hughes.

BRENNAN WINS BONAR CUP

BRC junior rider Matthew Brennan had his first club road race win last Wednesday evening in the Rex Bonar cup RR which was held over five laps of the Lisnamurrican circuit at Broughshane.

Matthew fought out a "two up" sprint at the end of the 25 miles event along with race secretary Tommy Wilson with these two coming in 20 seconds ahead of third placed Mark McCullough.

Other placings were: 4. David Dougan; 5. Alan Graham (Centurion); 6. Michael Carroll (Bann Valley); 7. Ryan Currie; 8. Clifford Grant; 9. Sam Davidson; 10. Alan Blair; 11. Derek Dougan; 12. Steven McNeilly; 13. David Kennedy; 14. Sammy Kerr; 15. Bobby Currie; 16. Maurice Carruthers; 17. Steven Carruthers.

Emma Gordon won the one lap, five miles, youth race for the Clarke's tyres cup. She came in 17 seconds ahead of Declan Kelly with Adam Kerr third at 21 seconds.

David Dougan currently leads the club's road racing league series after the first two rounds. He has 17 points, Alan Blair is second on 11 points and Matthew Brennan’s win puts him into third on 10 points. (4) and (5) Beresford Millar and Tommy Wilson 9 points each (6) Mark McCullough 8 points.

AUDI GP

There was no BRC success in Saturday’s Audi Grand Prix road races at a cold and wet Ballynure.

Red Hand Trophy winner Glen Kinning, who had been runner up to David Dougan in the Tommy Smyth cup at Bellaghy on Monday night, took the honours this time out while Bryan McKinney (Bann Wheelers) won the “B” race to secure his promotion to third category status.

Many BRC “old hands” will remember racing against Bryan’s father Eddie McKinney who too was a Bann Wheeler.

Glen Kinning made a weekend double when he was first home in the Bobby Crilly road race which was promoted by Phoenix C C and finished at the top of Divis mountain.

Ballymena’s Matthew Brennan was included with the breakaway group and he went on to finish a creditable eighth, Ryan Connor was 14th and Christopher Beattie 20th.

BRC newcomer Stephen McNeilly, from Cushendall, had an excellent ride in the “B” race and finished in fifth place.

YOUTH ROUND-UP

Four local boys were in action at Newry on Sunday, part of the Ulster Road Race Series League.

Craig Crawford (TSC Racing) was second in the under-14 race with Adam Kelly (Ballymena Road Club) fourth and Aaron Swan (TSC) fifth in the same age group, while Declan Kelly (BRC) had his first outing of the season at under-16 level.

RAS REVIEW

Ballymena Road Club’s Conor McAllister and Philip Bremner took part in last week’s FBD insurance “Ras” eight day stage race in the Republic of Ireland.

McAllister was on the full Irish national team while Bremner was on the Irish development squad.

Both riders did the club proud and battled hard throughout the week and gained valuable International race experience. The event finished in Skerries on Sunday with its first Scandinavian winner; Alexander Wetterhall of the Swedish “team sprocket pro” line up.

CALENDAR

Wednesday, June 2: Ballymena Road Club–Scott Roof Tiles cyclists will hold their annual Combat Cancer cup 25 miles time trial at Woodgreen.

The BRC ladies are scheduled to have a 5 miles time trial at the same venue although the Ulster women’s association also have a 25 miles time trial on the same night, so there is a choice on offer. All events have a 7pm starting time.

Thursday, June 3: 10 miles time trial league, West Down wheelers Eric Maxwell cup event. Warrenpoint Harbour estate 7 pm.

Friday, June 4 – Sunday, June 6: Donegal three day stage race based in Killybegs.

The popular Team Madigan, Carrickfergus waterfront criterium, which was due to take place on Monday 7th June, has been cancelled due to funding restrictions. The club normally have the Marine highway coned off to form a closed road for the race, however road service don’t have the budget this year and are unable to facilitate this service.