Madden in action again at Banbridge

LOCAL cyclist John Madden made another fantastic break during this weekends racing but has to settle for finishing in the leading bunch having been caught with half a lap to go in the 56 mile Noel Taggart event.

He was once again pleased to see his team mate, Nathan McLeer, place second despite not being able to attack on the last climb because Madden was protecting McLeer’s position up the road.

It was all systems go at Banbridge on Sunday when Banbridge CC promoted a total of six events. With racing for U12, U14 and U16 the club also ran separate events for all the senior categories.

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A ten man break went from the gun comprising Thomas Martin and team-mate Conor Murphy of Eurocycles, Ryan Connor (Usher IRC), East Antrim duo Glen Kinning and Gary Cranston, Newry's Mark McKinley, Conor McAllister (Ballymena), Darren Weir (Dromara), Jonny Cole (Team Madigan) and Gary Crory (Planet X).

The high pace set by these riders quickly opened a gap on the main field which never looked as if it would be closed.

The event in which Ballycastle rider Madden took place a full field of A3 riders took to the roads around Banbridge in a hard fought race. Davy Gardner (Bike Pure) and John Madden (Curran Racing/Bann Wheelers) were two of the main protagonists in this event opening a gap of some 40 seconds.

Despite Madden’s valiant efforts to stay away with Gardiner with just over two laps of the five lap course to go they were eventually caught with about half a lap to the finish.

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In the closing yards, Kyle Houston (Phoenix CC) took the opportunity to rid himself of the bunch and sprinted for the line to take a well deserved victory. Nathan McLeer(Curran Racing) also went with the line in sight and soled to take second place.

The remaining places came down to a massive bunch sprint with Banbridge CC's Liam McKivergan taking third ahead of newcomer Stephen McAllister (Ballymoney). It seems that McAllister was not going on full throttle with his famous sprint finish only opening her up to 45 miles an hour although his position was excellent. There is definitely faster speeds to come from this young man. Madden finished just behind the fast finishing McAllister and was satisfied with his performance.

Only two weeks remain before one of Madden’s main goals of the season – the national time trial championship in Sligo. Lets hope with another impressive performance behind him this weekend he can bring home a result from the Irish championships.

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