First and third finishes for Ballymoney riders

This follows a 1st place in the club’s 25 mile Championship on Wednesday past.

Jason Taggart in his first year in competition cycling broke the hour for 25 miles Completing the distance in 59m 57secs.

To anyone with a knowledge about cycling will recognise that Jason Taggart the player coach and former captain of the successful Ballymoney Rugby Club 1st XV has a bright future as a racing cyclist. Not only can he time trial but has shown he can road race as well. Jason has made the transition from one sport to the other with surprising ease.

In the silver position in the club’s 25TT championships was Olly Bateson (65-13) and 3rd Dessie Dillon in bronze place with (69-21)

Ballymoney CC thank the support of Jason Henry (U/A) 59-44 and Dean McIlfatrick (BVCC) 59-14.

As the Ballymoney Club has now appointed a Leisure secretary in Chris Frew, it sends a very positive statement to everyone interested in cycling as Chris will be handling all aspects of the leisure and fitness side of cycling.

Opening the door to all abilities and ages being able to join groups on a Monday, Thursday evenings and on a Saturday morning for a pleasant cycle on quiet roads around the borough in a group of other like minded enthusiasts.

Leisure cycling is becoming more and more popular and interest grows weekly with new faces showing up to join the Ballymoney groups.

For details visit the club’s website on www.ballymoneycyclingclub.com.

On Saturday Jason Taggart was accompanied by his club mates, Jerome McKendry, Niall O’Hagan, Nigel Elder and Olly Bateson, and as team manager in attendance was Bryan McKinney.

The five lads were entered for the Madigan GP starting at Kilroot near Carrickfergus.

These roads do not lend favour to the weak as it is hard to find many that are flat, and the bit that was slightly flat saw the riders face a torrid head wind.

After 11 miles Cushendall lad Stephen McNeilly broke clear with a Madigan rider, Steven Harkins. As they had two laps of a tough 18 mile circuit to cover both lads built up a 1 minute advantage, going out to 90 seconds on the line with Stephen McNeilly getting a well deserved victory.

Leading in the bunch was Ballymoney CC hard man Jason Taggart showing that he can sprint with the best.

The other four Ballymoney men had mixed fortunes with Nigel Elder showing up in Lurgan on Sunday morning to ride the arduous Tour of Armagh.

The two battle hardened first year racers Stevie McAllister and Nigel Elder lined up in Lurgan alongside FBD Ras, Tour of the North and Ulster winners.

This field had assembled Ireland’s best cyclists as the annual 50th Tour of Armagh prepared to set the stage once again.

Over 70 miles of the toughest roads the organisers could find and a field of sparkling quality athletes to boot.

Setting off through Craigavon, Portadown, Loughgall and into Armagh the first 20 miles were covered in 40 minutes averaging 30mph.

Both Ballymoney riders were comfortable in the bunch and as a split of 6 riders got away in the early miles the bunch faced the daunting climb of Keady mountain and the spectacular run into Newry.

Professional cyclist and Ballymoney CC favourite Stephen Gallagher could be seen in conversation with Ballymoney lad Steven McAllister .Asked about it afterwards as to what the conversation was about McAllister said that Stephen had told him that he was about to launch an attack and to get onto his wheel.

But such was the ferocity of the pro riders thrust that only two other pros Adam Armstrong and Conor Murphy (Eurocycles Dublin) were able to hang onto the Richhill flyer.

On the run into Lurgan, the fast travelling bunch were swallowing up any riders that were dropped or had escaped earlier. A rider who is always on the attack and also a classy athlete is Ballycastle man John Madden. John had escaped the bunch and was only caught with a couple of miles to go, along with John was Portaferry and Suir 3 Day winner, Thomas Martin and Madigan GP winner Peter Hawkins who rides for the Belgium outfit De Cock Capino.

Into the final miles and in typical style the bunch of 50 plus swept and snaked its way into Lurgan’s Market street.

Out of the bunch came Ballymoney riders Steven McAllister and Jason Henry both sprinting for 12th place and were unable to be separated on the line.

As the season goes into the final run down, top quality racing is on every week end for the next 4 weeks with the Ulster Road Race Championships at Nutts Corner on the 22nd of August. Ballymoney CC will again be sending riders to this event in an attempt to win a championship jersey.

Out at the minute are Bryan McKinney and Bobby Kane, but both lads will be welcomed back, giving the club eight racing representatives at the end of season races.

Upcoming events and races.

Leisure cycle rides leave as usual from Outdoor Life on Monday and Thursday evenings at 6.30pm and on Saturday mornings at 9.30am. These rides are open for everyone and are at times accompanied by some of the club’s top racing cyclists who are on hand to give advice to the newcomers.

All cyclists are very welcome to come along!

This Wednesday evening the club holds its weekly race, the “Kirk” 16.75km circuit TT starting on the Kirk Rd opposite Moore Unidrill at 7pm.