Madden first A3 rider and seventh overall in Wallace Caldwell Memorial Classic

However it was County Armagh’s Stephen Gallagher who now leads the Slane Cycles Ulster Classic League after victory in the race promoted by Ballymena – Scott Tiles. The former FBD Rs victor riding for his new continental registered Sigma Sport team was part of a ten man breakaway, which included Ballycastle rider John Madden, that escaped the main peleton in the early stages of the 110 kilometre race. The group rode strongly together and built up a four minute lead as they crested the hills at Cam and Springwell Forest outside Limavady.

Madden was ‘boxing well above his weight’ as he contributed to the blistering pace of an elite break in which he was the only A3 category rider. Unlike professional riders, like Gallagher, John Madden is a school principal and obviously works full time, only cycling in his leisure time. Despite this Madden managed to ride with the best until the race reached the final stages coming into Ballymena.

Paul Vaughan (Sportactive CC) initiated the winning move of the day as the race progressed through Portglenone but it was Gallagher and local rider Ryan Connor (Usher IRC) who managed to break clear on the climb at Tully before the finish in Galgorm.

Gallagher took the sprint from Connor while Simon Williams (Orchard Wheelers) led in Vaughan, Gary Cranston (East Antrim-Audi) and Jonny Cole (Team Madigan) almost 40 seconds adrift. It was another two minutes before John Madden (Curran Racing/Bann Wheelers) crossed the line having broken away from the other 3 riders he had been with after Portglenone. This was a remarkable achievement since all the other riders infront of John are in the elite A1 category or higher. Ben Morrow (East Antrim-Audi), Nathan Morgan (Newry Wheelers) and Mark Campbell crossed the line after Madden to complete the top ten.

John Madden, who races for Curran Racing but has an associate membership with Coleraine based Bann Wheelers cycling club, raced to a fabulous 7th place in the Wallace Caldwell 80 mile road race at the weekend and had this to say afterwards:

“I was glad I decided to miss the Dave Kane Time Trial event on Thursday to prepare for the demanding road race course at the weekend.

“Last year I won the Dave Kane league placing first in 7 of the 19 events but I was always tired going into weekend races and have decided to be more selective this year.

“I felt strong throughout the Wallace Caldwell climbs and was delighted to break away from the riders in my group to be the 1st A3 rider behind so many elite racers.”

John hopes to be in action again next week in another local event which starts in Clady before he embarks on some specific preparation for the Northern Ireland Road Race Championships on the 16th May.