Madden tops off the week with another win at the Billy Stewart Cup

JOHN Madden, who races for Curran Racing/Bann Wheelers, completed a fabulous weeks racing by winning the Veterans section of The Billy Stewart Cup and placing a fine third over all. This comes after two tough back to back Time Trials in the middle of last week which he won in fine style.
By The Newsroom
Published 18th Aug 2010, 17:00 BST

The Billy Stewart Cup is a road race and Madden is now as adept at mixing it with the top riders in this event as he is at his favoured Time Trial events. Derrymacash resembled the South of France at the beginning of the Apollo promoted Billy Stewart Cup as riders put on the sun cream on what was one of the hottest days of the year. In total 58 riders signed on for the 7 lap event with the A4 riders receiving a 7 minute handicap. It was soon evident that this would not be enough as the limit group had clawed back almost 2 minutes after only 10 miles of racing, the 16 hardy souls pushed on regardless and held out until the 4th lap when they were hauled back in and the race all came together.

The status quo was not to remain like this for long with a strong Newry team constantly on the attack. The constant pressure soon paid off and with 2 laps remaining seven riders Stephen McAllister(Ballymoney) Darren Weir (Dromara CC) John Paul Connelly (Omagh Wheelers) Desi Foley & Nathan Morgan (Newry Wheelers) John Madden (Curran Racing/Bann Wheelers) and Kyle Houston (Phoenix CC) slipped of the front of the bunch.

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At the start of the final lap the break had 1 minute and did not look like being caught and the race stayed like this until the end. John Madden took up the sprint with about 1km to go and was quickly followed by Stephen McAllister and Nathan Morgan. Madden could not shake off his two pursuers as they all drew away from their break companions. It was McAllister who proved the strongest at the line with Morgan and Madden a close second and third. Madden led the others over the line followed by Darren Weir, John Paul Connelly, Desi Foley and Kyle Houston. Madden was the first Veteran rider (aged over 40 plus), Kyle Houston took the A3 prize with Conor Judge of the promoting club Apollo the best A4 rider.

Madden had already taken first place on Wednesday night at the Kirk Time Trial hosted by the Ballymoney Cycling Club. Madden completed the rolling Kirk 16.75km Circuit in 23 minutes and 25 seconds which is a 25 year record.

Madden's next winning result came on Thursday in the Bushmills to Dervock time trial, favoured by the Bann Wheelers Cycling Club, of which Madden is an associate member. This time Madden completed the 10 mile distance in 22 minutes and 32 seconds despite having to stop and negotiate his way through a herd of cows that were crossing the road as he returned to Bushmills!

"I was disappointed not to take the win on the run in to today but I have to be happy with being first vet and all credit to young Stevie McAllister from Ballymoney cc for holding on and taking a fabulous victory" said Madden.

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Madden, who lives in Ballycastle and is an associate member of Bann Wheelers cycling club in Coleraine, won two time trials on successive nights and broke a 25 year course record. He won the veterans section of The Billy Stewart Cup at the weekend and also has some important races coming up toward the end of the season including the Ulster Road Race and Time Trial Championships..

Results Billy Stewart Cup Derrymacash

1. Stephen McAllister (Ballymoney CC)

2. Nathan Morgan (Newry Wheelers)

3. John Madden (Curran Racing)

4. Darren Weir (Dromara CC)

5. John Paul Connelly (Omagh Wheelers)

6. Desi Foley (Newry Wheelers)

7. Kyle Houston (Phoenix CC)

Related topics:Veterans