Eileen adds Ulster 25 mile time trial record to ‘50’ success

Bann Valley were the race promoters and they staged the event as part of their 25th anniversary celebrations. They used their Clady-Kilrea-Brown trout (Agivey) course, which isn’t considerED to be as fast as Woodgreen, but nevertheless the results were impressive.

Eileen recorded a time of 63 minutes 02 seconds to beat second placed Laura Maxwell (Roe Valley) by 2 minutes 50 seconds. Just for good measure first year Ballymena Road Club member Laura Blair recorded 70 minutes 06 seconds to win the bronze medal.

An excellent day all round for the road club, which, co-incidentally is also celebrating an anniversary - it’s 60th.

Eileen is the first woman in the club’s 60 year history to have won both the 25 miles and 50 miles title races. She first joined the road club in 2012 and last season beat the existing ladies time trial best all rounder record.

Her progress this season has been remarkable and she is already the most successful female cyclist in the club’s history with the ability to excel at both time trials and road races.

“I didn’t expect to win as it isn’t your usual Time Trial course and there were plenty of strong ladies entered.

I just kept my head down and went as hard as I could.

It feels like a great achievement to be Ulster Time Trial champion for both the 50 and 25 mile distances,” added Eileen.

The route took the riders through two roundabouts in the centre of Kilrea.

“Kilrea was well marshalled. My only problem was when a car pulled out in front of me in Clady just as I took off at the start - just past the community centre in Clady.

“I had to brake hard and ended up skidding with my back wheel.

It was a nervewrecking start until I got into road to Kilrea. After that I was OK,” added a delighted Eileen.

Eileen also won the ladies section of last weekend’s Ernie Magwood memorial time trial promoted by East Tyrone CC. She clocked a PB 22 minutes 41 seconds. Laura Blair was again in action and her time was 26.15.

Ladies championship results.

(1) Eileen Burns 63-02 (2) Laura Maxwell (Roe Valley) 65-52 (3) Laura Blair (BRC) 70-06

Mens result. (1) Sean McIntyre (Orchard) 54-09 (2) Stephen Colbert (Colbert cycles) 54-14 (3) Daniel Stewart (East Antrim) 54-16

Harryville’s Darrell Erwin won the hand cycling race with 84-46.

GARDINER CUP

Ballymena Road Club held their Gardiner Cup 10 miles time trial in the Northstone sponsored club race series last Wednesday evening.

Conditions were the warmest of the season so far and this contributed to some very fast performances.

Steven Workman was fastest with 20 minutes 37 seconds with Connor Young second with 21-25 and Matthew Brennan third on 21-31.

(4) Ryan Shaw 22-00 (5) Sean Wright 22-07 (6) Eileen Burns 23-08 (7) Nigel Kernohan 23-13 (8) Jim Burns 23-23 (9) Derek Dougan 23-46 (10) Mark Wright 24-21 (11) Emma Smyth 24-42 (12) Martin Ruddy 25-01 (13) Laura Blair 25-18 (14) Maxine Surgenor 25-53 (15) Leo McCavana 26-16

Visitors (1) Stevie McAllister (Ballymoney) 21-02 (2) John O’Neill (Spires) 21-18 (3) Mervyn Linton (Ballymoney) 21-20 (4) M Glendinning (Spires) 21-22 (5) David Barton (Spires) 21-25

CALENDAR

Tuesday 29th July. Ballymena Road Club will hold their annual race around the Mid-Antrim 150 motor cycle circuit at Clough.

The main race is held over 8 laps, 28.8 miles, with the competitors going off in different handicapped bunches.

They will be racing for the Clough Rangers shield, which was won last year by Jason Burns. The youth section is in action on the same course, last year’s winner was Breandan McCavana.

The chief marshall for this event is Bobby Currie who will be assisted by Leo McCavana, Stephen Smyth and Emma Smyth.

Monday 4th August. BRC three day event – stage one – 20 miles road race at Randalstown. (Chief marshall David Kennedy assisted by Neill Millar, Steven Workman, Peter Cuthbert, Laura Blair and Alastair Petticrew.)

Tuesday 5th August BRC threed ay event stage two. 5 miles time trial Woodgreen. Ballee roundabout observer – Trevor Thompson.

Wednhesday 6th August. BRC three day event stage three. Sammy Gaston cup 25 miles road race Glarryford. (Chief marshall is Jim Burns assisted by Jason Burns, Eileen Burns, Maria Shannon, David McClean and Michael Thompson)