McBride victorious again

BALLYMONEY Cycling Club fast improving road racer Garreth McBride has won again!

Last Wednesday he won his own club’s road race on the famous Tullaghans circuit, then he along with team mates, Adrian Madden, Devon McIlwaine, newly upgraded to A3 rider Niall O’Hagan, Olly Bateson and Steven McAllister.

The six BCC riders visited the Bann Wheelers at the Three Oaks road race.

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In what was described by an onlooker, “It was like watching the Russians!”.

He was referring to the eastern European dominance by the Russians in the domestic cycling scene in the 80’s and 90’s where they won everything they rode.

Ballymoney CC had six riders in the first ten at this local race and the fast finishing McBride taking the sprint from Paul McAfee, 2nd and Olly Bateson 3rd.

Results

1st Garreth McBride BCC

2nd Paul McAfee (BW)

3rd Olly Bateson BCC

5th Devon McIlwaine BCC

8th Chris Beattie Ballymoney

9th steven McAllister BCC

10th Adrian Madden BCC

13th Nial O’Hagan BCC

McKinney in fine form at the Bobby Crilly

Ballymoney CC rider Bryan McKinney is hitting good form in time for this weekend’s RAS Donegal stage race.

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On Saturday BCC riders Bryan McKinney, Steven McAllister, newly upgraded A3 rider Niall O’Hagan, Olly Bateson and double winner Garreth McBride set off to tackle the short but daunting Bobby Crilly Road race at Nutts corner.

In the A4 race BCC duo, Bateson and McBride battled the elements in harsh winds and driving rain and in typical BCC style both lads were there there at the finish.

This gives them an insight into the harsh reality of Irish Cycling and it seems they are looking for more. When asked at the finish if Garreth was riding at the Inter club Road race on Thursday night he replied, “Bring it on!”

In the A1/A2/A3 race over 53 miles covered by the eventual winner Conor McAllister in two hours 3minutes, Ballymoney CC rider Bryan McKinney got into an early break of thirteen riders who stayed away to the end with, McAllister, Michael Murray and Simon Williams breaking clear on the run up to Divis Mountain.

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Bryan who had fought hard all day to hold his position in the group was a very creditable 11th overall. Niall was caught out when he dropped his chain, and Steven McAllister suffered a broken rear axle, both riders completed the course and were in the 24th and 25th position overall.

Steven McAllister wins Circuit TT

The Ballymoney Cycling Club weekly race a 16.75km circuit TT on the Kirk hills, Dervock circuit was won by local lad Steven McAllister.

On a wet and blustery evening 18 riders took part in this test of character event Inter Club Road Race at Stranocum. the riders lined up for the start at the old Moore’s Unidrill premises on the Kirk Road.

Setting off in one minute intervals the riders battled with the elements and some good performances were turned in by Olly Bateson newcomer to road racing Graeme Elliott and Eddy McKinney.

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The final result saw McAllister winning by one second from another fast finishing Ballymoney rider Jason Henry.

Result.

1st. Steven McAllister. 25min 22

2nd. Jason Henry. 25min 23

3rd Chris Beattie. 25min 32

4th. Jason Taggert. 25min 39

5th. Bryan McKinney. 25min 53

6th. Jerome McKendry. 26min 15

7th. Oliver Bateson 26min 47

8th. Adrian Madden. 27min 43

9th. Garreth McBride. 28min 03

10th. Martin Carroll. 28min 12

11th. Eddie McKinney. 30min 37

12th. Graeme Elliott. 32min 19

Inter Club Road Race this Thursday night

This Thursday night Ballymoney Cycling Club will welcome, the Bann Wheelers, Ballymena Road Club, Carn Wheelers and Bann Valley CC to the Stroan Circuit for round two of the Inter Club league.

This is a fiercely contested series and the Ballymoney round featuring the tough Stroan Rd will play a key part in the final outcome.

With Bann Wheelers leading from the first round at Slaght outside Ballymena. The Ballymoney riders will be out to stamp their authority on this one.

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The men’s race is 5 laps of the circuit finishing at Stranocum Primary School, and the Woman’s race is 3 laps of the same circuit.

Ballymoney Cycling Club are asking for the support of all their members to help make this a safe and enjoyable night’s racing.

BCC Racing Team head to Donegal

This Friday night sees the first stage of the three day RAS Donegal.

Starting in the hilly town of Ardara, BCC riders Steven McAllister, Niall O’Hagan, Bryan McKinney and joined by the vastly experienced Ballymoney rider Jason Henry, the four lads are set to make this a race to remember.

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With the fast and furious Friday night stage out of the way, Saturday sees a mountain TT in the morning and then an 86km stage in the afternoon.

With tired and heavy legs the riders face 100km on the Sunday with a mountain finish on the tough climb of Glengesh.

There will be a full report with photos in next week’s paper.