McAllister wins the Foyle Grand Prix

rider in the past 25 years, winning on Sunday the Foyle Grand Prix from Coombes Conor Classic winner

Daniel Stewart, and Irish Champion Jake Gray.

This victory happened after McAllister and seven others broke clear of a field of 55 riders on the Carrigans, Killea circuit that passes the old border crossing between Derry and Donegal. A 5 lap 55 mile race with former An Post professional Ronan McLaughlin, winner of the recent Star Trophy Johnny Taylor and Gary Jeffers also a winner of the Carn Classic. This top quality field set of to bring back the 3 minute handicap that the organisers give the slower riders in an attempt to give them what is described by every serious cyclist as an “Unfair advantage” After two laps the field was all together with strong riding by the “A” riders seeing the largest part of the race reeled in. Attackes were going thick and fast as the top riders attempted to get away and with McAllister in two early moves that went unsuccessfully. When the last jump went the Ballymoney man was in the thick of the action and with two laps to go the 8 riders opened a gap and at the line had almost 30 seconds to spare. McAllister won in a fast and furious sprint finish.

This now gives Steven McAllister the Foyle GP to his tally of “Open Races” wins at the North Down GP, twice at the Bann Valley Classic, the Carn

Wheelers Classic and the Billy Stewart Cup, plus dozens of club and Interclub races along with Championship gold, silver and bronze individual and team medals.

Results for the Foyle GP “A” race (Top 5): 1st Steven McAllister BCC Biesty’s Centra, 2nd Daniel Stewart East Antrim CC, 3rd Jake Gray Cookstown CC, 4th Jody Wright Phoenix CC, 5th Mike Millar Phoenix CC.