Madden cleans up at Ulster 100 mile Championships

John Madden of Curran Racing/Bann Wheelers finished off the 2011 season with a superb result in the 100 mile Time Trial Championships promoted by Bann Wheelers on Sunday morning.
By The Newsroom
Published 27th Sep 2011, 12:35 BST

His time of 3.56.23 gave him the gold in both the Vets and Senior events and he was also presented with the SportActive Trophies for the 100 Senior Men and 100 Veteran. On top of that he prized the Cycling Ulster Overall Winner’s Trophy from Irish 100 mile record holder Brian McCrystal of Cuchullain CC. McCrystal lined up today to defend his title but despite a supreme effort on his part only managed to take second overall to Madden with a time of 3.57.45. Mark Greer of Maryland Wheelers was awarded the silver medal in both the Vets and Senior Men’s Competition with his time of 4.00.10

Jay Gault of Phoenix took bronze in the Vets event with Simon Stockton of Team Madigan taking bronze in the Senior Men’s event. Stockton was also the team leader for the winning team on the day as the combined forces of Stockton, Stephen Harkens and Ian Lockyer were enough to beat the Bann Wheelers squad of Dominic Drumm, Nigel Quigley and Derek McMenemy. Phoenix CC had been on to a win in the team championships until their third counter had a mechanical and had to pull out. Eimear Mullan of UK Corley was an unexpected entrant in the Women’s event. Hailing from Portstewart in County Derry, this champion tri-athlete took the Women’s Gold medal from Kay Hack of Bann Wheelers with a time of 4.39.48. She was also presented with the Martin Birney SportActive Cup by Stephen Burns. The weather was not kind to the riders with early rain and a strong wind. While the rain dried up for a time the wind made the going tough and late finishers had to contend with the return of very heavy rain and darkened skies. This particularly affected North Pole men Paddy McCallion and Willie John McLaughlin. McCallion failed to notice the marshall at the Ballymena roundabout and ended up in Harryville before realizing his mistake. Willie John however was not too displeased because although the weather ensured he did not beat his own club record for the 100 which he had set in 2010, it also meant that the record still stands. Many thanks must go Bann Wheelers for an excellent promotion of this Championship. There were two marshalls at each roundabout, plenty of saftey signage and an ambulance to hand. Robert Downs was appointed official caterer for the day and was busy handing out tea, coffee, sandwiches and delicious tray bakes all morning which was greatly appreciated by officials, riders and spectators. Many thanks to Bann Wheelers for ensuring that no one went away hungry. Madden said “I am thrilled to end the season with probably my best result of the year. I have never done a 100 miles as a time trial before and even though I currently hold the senior Irish record for 50 miles this was a huge step up for me. To beat last years winner and Irish 100 mile record holder Brian McCrystal was a really unexpected result and to win best overall, best senior and best veteran is amazing.  Madden will now be taking a well earned rest before he starts his winter training in preparation for next season.