Madden first veteran at Ulster Road Race Championships

Local cycling phenomenon John Madden was the first rider past the post in the highly competitive veterans age group and took a fabulous 4th place overall.

The course appeared flat but had some draggy sections although road surface was excellent. The A3's were given a short handicap over the A1's and A2's but the with seventy nine miles to cover it made little difference.

By the third lap the groups were together and a six man group formed after 40 miles of racing and never looked in danger of being caught by the chasing pack until Madden surged from the chase pack and bridged the 20 second gap to make the winning break seven and extent the breaks lead to over a minute.

East Antrim's Gary Cranston proved the strongest sprinter edging out Bangor's Stuart Henry (Herbalife) who had made a quick weekend journey from University in England at the weekend to compete.

The last podium place was taken by Cranston's teammate Glen Kinning rapid followed home by John Madden (Curran Racing/Bann Wheelers). Stuart Henry (Herbalife) lifted enough points on the primes to take the King Of the Hills title and the new Brian Marshall trophy in memory of North Down's former member who was killed three years previously.

After the finish Madden had this to say: “Having missed the initial break I was delighted to solo across to make the lead group. It took a huge effort and for a moment I thought I might not make it but I dug in and then started taking my turns at the front.

“In hindsight I regret not making a similar solo effort for the line on the last lap since I felt strong at the finish but just did not have the kick to take the sprint. Maybe next time I might have a go before the finishing sprint if I am lucky enough to find myself in the winning break again?”

As expected, Heather Wilson (Maryland CC) was a runaway victor in the women's event coming home 5 minutes clear of second placed Ciara Mulholland (Clann Eireann).

The young Lurgan teenager was the only rider able to respond to Wilson's initial attack but had to drop back when the Irish National Champion put on the pressure.

The B event for 4th category riders saw a well deserved victory for Stephen McAllister (Ballymoney CC) who was rarely off the front of the bunch but still managed to find the strength to take the final sprint. McAllister crossed the line ahead of North Down's Warren Pauley and Simon Welby (Dromara CC).

John Madden, from Ballycastle is consistently finishing week in week out with the top A1 riders in the country in some of the longest and toughest road races on the calendar.

He was the leading A3 rider at the Ulster Championships on Saturday and also the first veteran rider to cross the finish line. He continues to prepare for the Irish Championships at the end of June in both road racing and his favoured time trial disciplines. Lets hope he can bring home a national winners jersey to add to his collection of racing successes in the near future.

N.I. Road Race Championships

Elite Men

1. Gary Cranston (East Antrim-Audi)

2. Stuart Henry (Herbalife)

3. Glenn Kinning (East Antrim – Audi)

4. John Madden (Team Curran/Bann Wheelers)

5. Jack Wilson (East Antrim – Audi)

6. Paul Vaughan (Sportactive)

7. Liam Curran (Team Curran)