More strong performances from Ballycastle Cycling Club

MARTIN Carroll, having got a top 10 finish in last week’s road race hosted by Ballymoney CC at Balnamore finished ninth at the Bann wheelers David Armour Memorial RR on the Collins Circuit on Tuesday 23rd April. Martin put in another very strong solo performance but with Gary Maybin and Des Flannagan back in the saddle it is hoped that all three will be in contention for a top 5 finish or better in the coming months.
By The Newsroom
Published 1st May 2013, 09:57 BST

* Armoy Community Pharmacy Time Trial League and Q-Cutts 10 Mile TT Scratch League - Round 1 of The Armoy Community Pharmacy Handicapped Time Trial League gets underway this Wednesday evening at 1930 hours on the Capecastle 10 mile TT season.

This league is unique in that most of the TT circuits used in Ballycastle CC’s League have not been used before so it is expected that local clubs will be interested to test themselves not only on new courses but on circuits that have some of the most breathtaking scenery on the North Coast.

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Alongside the Handicapped league Ballycastle CC are also running a scratch TT league, the first of which has been kindly sponsored by John Quinn, owner of Q-Cutts barber shop in Ballycastle town centre.

Anyone wishing to take part in Ballycastle CC’s TT league must bring either their club competition licence or a printed version of their Cycling Ireland profile page with their licence number shown. Marshal Rota for the night includes Dominic Drumm, George McBride, Damian McSorley, Frances Boyd, Carrie Flannagan and whoever else would like to volunteer.

Sign on is from 1845 hours at the large layby/bus shelter just at the Islandarragh Cross roads by Capecastle Woods. For anyone wishing to take part and would like more information please contact the club on 07414232399 or email ballycastlecc@gmail,com

* Ballycastle CC participate in King’s Moss and North Down Sportive Events - Des Flannagan made the journey on Saturday 27th April to take part in a 100 KM charity cycle which took in some of County Down’s spectacular scenery. About 80 riders showed up on for registration before being divided into groups of novice run, race pace, touring pace and a ‘B’ group which was a brisk pace along the coast.

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Four club members also travelled to Ballyclare on Sunday 28th April for the King Moss sportive. Setting off at 10am the group made their way to Ballygawley for the half way point where abundant refreshments were served before returning to Ballyclare via Spelga mountain.

The 2nd half proved very challenging but the group worked very well before Tadhg suffered a mechanical problem. Colin kearney and Helena Dornan pushed on returning to the finish in the top group with Vinny Mort quickly on their tail. Another great day out and thanks to Kings Moss for their hospitality, marshalling and well earned refreshments.

If anyone is interested in joining Ballycastle Cycling Club you can get in touch via the club secretary at 07414232399 or email [email protected].

* Sands claims The Bay Cafe Sprint TT League by just 6 seconds - Wednesday 24th April was the fourth and final round of Ballycastle Cycling Club’s The Bay Cafe Sprint League which took place on the Whitepark Road.

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Conditions were perfect for what turned out to be the closest round of the Ballycastle CC 1 mile sprint TT league with one of the favourites, Gary Maybin, returning from his back injury in an attempt to take the 1 second advantage that Tadhg Sands had over him coming into this final round.

Five testers lined up on the night with Helena Dornan completing the circuit 17 seconds faster than her first attempt in a time of 3:10. Next up was Peter McGrattan who also improved on his first attempt by 16 seconds to clock a sub 3-minute 2:56. Coming back from injury, club captain, Des Flannagan clocked a very impressive 2:36 but was just not quite fast enough to take the win on the night which went to both Tadhg Sands and Gary Maybin who finished round 4 in a dead heat as they both shared the top spot in a time of 2:35.

Both improved on their first round times but Sands’s 21 second improvement compared to Maybin’s 16 second improvement meant that Sands was able to add another 5 seconds onto the time differential and therefore win the 4 week sprint league by a very close 6 second margin.

Ballycastle CC would like to thank Teresa and Stephen Boyle from the Bay Cafe (Ballycastle) for sponsoring the Sprint League and also congratulate Tadhg Sands for an impressive display of sprint cycling and taking the first bit for silverware for Ballycastle CC in the 2013 season.