Madden finishes in the peleton at Ards Cycle Race

BALLYCASTLE rider John Madden had to settle for a creditable finish in the main bunch of riders after his first mass start open race of the season on Saturday.
By The Newsroom
Published 28th Mar 2010, 18:53 BST
Updated 29th Mar 2010, 12:37 BST

Madden’s team mate Liam Curran got into the winning break and Madden was therefore reluctant to chase down the leaders and bring other riders with him.

Madden was satisfied to get round the demanding Ards circuit with the rest of the field and he will be saving his energy for his favoured time trial events which start on Thursday.

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Conor Murphy (Usher IRC) was a worthy winner of the Tommy Brown Trophy when he won the classic Tour of the Ards 100 kilometre road race.

The first major move of the day came when Jonny Cole (Team Madigan), Simon Williams (Orchard Wheelers) and Conor Murphy (Usher IRC) escaped on the road from Cloughy into Portaferry building up a half minute lead on the Loughdoo circuit. Williams was very unlucky to puncture out of the group but the remaining duo managed to hold their advantage along the coast through Kircubbin and Greyabbey.

In the sprint for the line Murphy edged out Cole by less than half a wheel. Adam Armstrong (Eurocycles) ,who had made a valiant attempt to bridge the gap, finished third 18 seconds behind the winner. Cycling Ulster road manager Ryan Connor (Usher IRC) was next home with Glenn Kinning (East Antrim-Audi) and Nathan Morgan (Newry Wheelers) completing the top six.

Donegal’s Mark Buchanan (North Pole CC) who is currently preparing for the FBD Rs placed a fine seventh ahead of Leo McAllister (Ballymena – Scott Tiles), Simon Williams (Orchard Wheelers) and Thomas Martin (Eurocycles).

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Madden, who rides for Curran Racing and has an associate membership with local club Bann Wheelers, was unable to better the seventh and sixth places in his last two road races this weekend.

He will be hoping to repeat his first place Dave Kane time trial success of last season when the time trial season opener starts on the Toome circuit this Thursday.

Results:Tour of the Ards 2010

1. Conor Murphy (Usher IRC) 100k 2-16-50

2. Jonny Cole (Team Madigan)

3. Adam Armstrong (Eurocycles) @ 18sec

4. Ryan Connor (Usher IRC) @ 26 secs

5. Glenn Kinning (East Antrim-Audi) @ 28 secs

6.Nathan Morgan (Newry Wheelers) @ 54 secs

7. Mark Buchanan (North Pole) @ 1-11

8. Leo McAllister (Ballymena-Scott Tiles) ST

9. Simon Williams (Orchard Wheelers) @ 1-30

10. Thomas Martin (Eurocycles) ST

Related topics:Conor MurphySimon WilliamsAdam Armstrong