Mediterranean conditions produce personal best times for cyclists

in perfect weather conditions with the warm calm evening producing personal best performances from nearly all the participants.

One of those personal best rides came from Steven Workman who was fastest of the 31 entrants with a time of 20 minutes 00 seconds (30mph). Junior rider Connor Young was second fastest with 21.05 with veteran Michael Carroll third on 21.39.

Eileen Burns was fastest in the ladies race with 24.09 with Emma Smyth second on 24.59 and Claire Gillespie third on 25.51.

Jim Burns was the winner of the handicap section for the Gardiner cup.

Results – BRC fastest (1) Steven Workman 20.00 (2) Connor Young 21.05 (3) Michael Carroll 21.39 (4) Matthew Brennan 21.49 (5) David Dougan 22.21 (6) Ryan Shaw 22.31 (7) Nigel Kernohan 22.46 (8) Jason Burns 23.38 (9) David Kennedy 23.51 (10) Adrian Kerr 24.07 (11) Eileen Burns 24.09 (12) Jim Burns 24.35 (13) Stephen Smyth 24.36 (14) Neil Millar 24.57 (15) Emma Smyth 24.59 (16) John Maxwell 25.37 (17) Geoff Bell 25.46 (18) Claire Gillespie 25.51 (19) Bobby Currie 25.59 (20) Beresford Millar 27.16

Handicap result (1) Jim Burns 18.11 (2) Eileen Burns 19.07 (3) Jason Burns 19.57 (4) Claire Gillespie 21.03 (5) David Kennedy 21.10 (6) Steven Workman 21.21

Visitors (1) David Heagney (East Tyrone) 21.05 (2) Martin Tohill (Spires) 21.21 (3) Craig Crawford (Duffin) 21.31 (4) R Millar (Bikeworks) 21.36 (5) D drum (Bann Wheelers) 22.32 (6) P Nugent (NB) 22.41 (7) N Elder (CRC) 23.37 (8) C Wilson (Bikeworks) 24.14 (9) P McQuillan (Bann Valley) 24.37 (10) M Brennan (Ards) 24.47 (11) P Ludlow (East Tyrone) 26.25

HANDICAP LEAGUE

Only one race remains in the 2013 time trial handicap league series and that makes tonight’s final round 5 miles time trial at Woodgreen a “must ride event”

Five riders still have a chance of overall league honours with John Maxwell holding on to top spot despite not scoring in last week’s Gardiner cup 10. However John isn’t taking part in the final round and this may leave the way open for one of the other four challengers to pip him at the post.

The current league positions are; (1) John Maxwell 16 points. Equal (2) and (3) Michael Carroll and Eileen Burns 12 points each. Equal (4) and (5) Jim Burns and Jason Burns 11 points each. (6) Claire Gillespie 8 points.

YOUTH TIME TRIAL

The Ballymena Road Club youth section held a 5 miles time trial from the Sheddings to Broughshane on Monday night. Breandan McCavana was fastest with 11 minutes 25 seconds with first season member Hayden Ritchie showing steady improvement to clock a time of 13.37. Visitor Aaron Swan (TSC) recorded a blistering 9 minutes 44 seconds for a ride at over 30mph.

ERRIGAL YOUTH TOUR

Ballymena Road Club under 16 rider George Graham has been selected to represent Cycling Ulster in the 2013 Errigal youth tour, will be held around the Co. Donegal village of Churchill.

George and Breandan McCavana represented Ballymena RC at this event last year and this year’s event is again centered in Churchill during the weekend of August 3-5. There will be strong teams from around the globe entering the race and, not to be outdone; Cycling Ulster will field their own strong teams in age categories 1 and 2.

CALENDAR

Wednesday 17th July Ballymena Road Club 5 miles time trial in the Northstone series of club races. This event has a 7pm starting time with the riders competing over the Woodgreen to Ballee and back course.

Thursday 25th July Northern Ireland 25 miles time trial championships, promoted by Madigan on the Woodgreen course at Ballymena from 7pm sharp.

WALLACE CALDWELL - NEW DATE

Ballymena Road Club – Chain Reaction cycles – will promote their annual Wallace Caldwell memorial road race at Galgorm on Saturday 27th July at 11am.

This 27th July date has become available because the road club’s other open race promotion – the Blair International Transport, Red Hand Trophy clashes with the Armoy motor cycle races, which too take place on 27th July.

Hugh McCullough is appealing for race marshals and feels that help may be in short supply as many club members assume that the organisation of the event is being looked after solely by the race committee, which is not the case.

Please make yourself available to assist, contact Hugh on 07743 240 975

SYMPATHY

Ballymena Road Club officials and members were saddened to hear of the death recently of their honourary Vice President Mr. Ronnie Linton, from Old Antrim Road in Ballymena.

Mr. Linton (93) had a long association with the club and in the 1960’s presented the RF Linton trophy for the winner of the junior time trial best all-rounder competition. Ronnie was a regular attender, along with his wife Mary, at the club’s annual prize presentation dinner and was also a long time sponsor of the club through his family business RF Linton cycle and motorcycle shop on Springwell Street in the town.

The sympathy of the club is extended to Ronnie’s wife his sons and daughters and the entire family circle at this sad time.