McComb Steel to sponsor Ballymoney Time Trial League

SUCCESSFUL and long time established local company McComb Steel are getting involved with Ballymoney Cycling Club.

McComb Steel boss David McComb recognised the opportunity to get involved with the very successful and high profile Cycling Club. David will be supporting the club’s highly competitive league in 2010. This event is run over 10 separate disciplines, 10 mile TT, 16km Circuit TT and 25 mile TT.

The members and committee of Ballymoney Cycling Club wish to thank David and the people at McComb Steel for their support and faith in giving Ballymoney CC the opportunity to add the club’s brand of sporting success to the already established successful Company.

The league is at the minute being led by local favourite and Ballymoney RFC player coach Jason Taggart, Jason is closely followed by other locals Niall O’Hagan and Stevie McAllister.

Looks like it will be a hotly contested over the next 9 events, keep following their progress and as usual send your comments and well wishes for the Ballymoney riders to the club secretary Bobby Kane.

Ballymoney Cycling Club riders at Tour of Glens 130 mile Cycle

In the past week Ballymoney CC riders, Niall O’Hagan, Nigel Elder and Steven McAllister took part in the McCann Cup at Seskinore and finished in the hectic and dangerous sprint finish for 1st place. Nigel Elder and Niall O’Hagan travelled on Sunday to take part in the 130 mile Tour of the Glens organised by Castlereagh CC. This Sportive event made its way through the Glens of Antrim and saw over 100 riders taking part, the course coming down as far as Loughguille/Magherahoney, giving the local cycling enthusiasts an opportunity to see this spectacle passing by.

The club wish to congratulate both Niall and Nigel for their superb efforts in completing this “Mighty Challenge”.

Jason Henry wins at The Stroan Road Race

On Wednesday 28th April, Ballymoney Cycling Club held their second road race of the 2010 campaign. In a cold blustery evening with heavy rainclouds threatening overhead. 19 riders lined up to face Race Secretary Ryan Patton’s stop watch and with the 3 groups set of at staggered intervals.

The experience and understanding of this handicapping system comes into play to secure a fair and competitive race. Ryan has got his down pat as local Ballycastle rider David Laverty was caught with less than 1 mile to go.

In the first group off was Aaron Dickie, closely followed by Neville and John Patton, Ballycastle’s David Laverty, Phil Smith, Jerome McKendry, Jonathan Dillon, club chairman Nat Magee and David Park (BWCC).

With this strong group looking set to storm ahead the “Scratch Group” that contained race winning cyclists Jason Henry and Bobby Kane along with other Ballymoney cyclist John McIlderry (BVCC). First time starting scratch and well up for the experience were Jason Taggart and Niall O’Hagan.

Both lads had to really dig in and hang on to the fast flying heels of the other scratch riders.

The race was started at the end of the Carncullagh Road and had the tough uphill finish at Stranocum PS to see off any freshness in the riders legs.

Four laps saw the riders go through many states of experience and fatigue, with Phoenix Grand Prix winner Bobby Kane suffering a mechanical problem

At the top of the Stroan climb on the first lap. Bobby a pre race favourite was forced to retire from the race.

To everyone who turned out to watch the hero of the evening was Ballycastle cyclist David Laverty, David rode away from his fellow competitors in the second group.

David opened a good gap and for the next three laps it looked as though he was going to snatch victory. This was until the fast moving pair of Henry and McIlderry forced a high tempo pace shedding all the others in their wake.

On the final climb of the Stroan Jason and John hammered hard to the top and just got the Ballycastle man before he hit the downhill run to Stranocum.

In the three up sprint Jason took first place from John and David.

Ballymoney CC want to congratulate Jerome McKendry in his 4th place finish and look forward to see him progress in the rest of the seasons club and interclub events.

Results:

1st Jason Henry

2nd John McIlderry

3rd David Laverty

4th Jerome McKendry

5th Nat Magee

6th Phil Smith

7th Johnny Dillon

8th Jason Taggart

9th Niall O’Hagan

Ballymoney Cycling Club meeting and coming events

This Tuesday night the club are hold an information and enrolment meeting at the Joey Dunlop Centre from 7.30pm

Everyone is invited to attend as there are some exciting and important announcements to be made that will have a

Fantastic and projecting effect on our club.

Wednesday night sees Round 2 of the McComb Steel Time Trial League event at Dervock, this is a 10mile TT and goes to

Bushmills and back. First rider off at 7pm sharp.

On Saturday Ballymoney CC riders will be At the 69 mile Red Hand Trophy race starting in Broughshane, everyone is invited

To turn out and cheer the riders on.