Kendall comes a fab fifth

GARY Kendall travelled to Kildress in Co. Tyrone to compete in the B race of the Gerald Long Memorial Road Race on Sunday 11 April.

55 competitors presented at the start line, with Gary riding strongly in the main group throughout the day. Teenager Bob Anderson broke away in the 2nd of the five lap race and won by just under 3 minutes. Gary however, was strong in the sprint and finished 5th overall, this is Gary’s 2nd top 10 placing in recent weeks.

Gary’s better half, Kay Hack competed in the women’s event and finished just outside the top six riders.

Ronnie Kidd wins Club 10 TT

Last Tuesday night saw 26 riders present before the timekeeper for the respective 10 and 5 mile time trials on the Bushmills-Dervock course.

The weather was warm but the side wind was not conducive to fast times. Again the event was a close run affair with just over 30 seconds separating the first 4 riders.

Triathlete Ronnie Kidd was the fastest man on the night with a time of 24.23, 2nd was rising star, Bryan Mc Kinney in 24.29.

Gary kendall was 3rd in 25.02, with Dominic Drumm 4th just a second behind Gary. Colin Brennan produced a strong ride to take 5th in 25.27, 6th was Robert Kennedy in 25.44. Sharman Crawford continues to ride strongly, taking 7th in 25.51, 8th Mark Wilkenson on his return from injury, 25.58, Robert Downes produced an excellent ride to take 9th in 25.59, Chris ‘Omatoe’ Mc Intyre was 10th in 26.17, Davy Parke and Ciaran Mullan shared 11th in 26.41, 13th was Dervock man Olly Laverty, who equalled his PB in 26.58, Steven Logan produced an excellent time in his 1st time trial 27.04, 15th was Graeme Montgomery, 27.12, 16th. Kay Hack 27.21, Charlie Wright seems to be getting the racing bug 27.29, another newcomer James Thompson had a solid ride 27.41, Ashley Moore, 28.30. Richard Boyd produced a solid ride of 28.47 in his first time trial. Founder member Robert Mc Kinlay 30.45, newcomer Dominic Crossan was 30.51 and Robbie Gaston faced the timekeeper again for the first time in over 30 years finishing with a time of 32.40.

Bushmills 5 mile TT

3 youth riders participated in the 5-mile event at Bushmills, Blayne Watton produced another solid ride to complete the course in 14.31, Brandon Herald improved by 26 seconds on his time the previous week 16.00, Ailbhe Kendall also had a solid ride finishing in 17.24. All 3 boys like their older contemporaries found the conditions difficult but enjoyed the event nonetheless.

Blayne 4th at Dromore

Blayne Watton travelled to Banbridge on Saturday to compete in the U14 section of the John Beggs Memorial Road race. Over 20 competitors faced the difficult course, which consisted of continuos rolling hills. Due to the nature of the course the race disintegrated in the opening miles, Blayne broke away with 4 other riders. However, attacks from eventual winner Mark Downey led to the group breaking up in the last few miles, with Blayne finishing 4th. Blayne was delighted with his performance, but stated that he found the going difficult at times. Blayne plans to go Drogheda this weekend to ride in the youth stage race the Ras Na Og. Bryan Mc Kinney also competed at Dromore in the senior A4 race, Bryan rode strongly in the main group for 3 of the 4 laps, but lost contact with the main group going into the last lap.

Chris Mc Intyre 2nd in Road Race

Newcomer to competitive cycling Chris Mc Intyre produced an excellent ride to finish 2nd in Ballymoney CC club road race. Chris finished 2nd in the sprint finish behind experienced roadman, Jason Henry. This was an exceptional ride for Chris as this was the 1st time he had competed in a road race. Bann Wheelers riders, Ronnie Kidd and Davy Parke also participated in the event.