Nigel wins Rex Bonar Cup event at Broughshane

The riders went off in three groups at the start and by the end of the second lap, of the five miles Lisnamurrcan circuit, groups one and two were together.

It was to stay this way until group two rider, Nigel Kernohan, made his move on the hill on the final lap and broke clear of the leading group.

He kept going and won by 25 seconds, in 1 hour 4 minutes 30 seconds. Nigel’s training partner Ryan Currie, who had started with the scratch group, came through late on the last lap to take second place with another scratch rider – Michael Carroll, who lives on the circuit, taking third.

Results: (1) Nigel Kernohan 1 Hour 4 minutes 30 seconds (2) Ryan Currie at 25 seconds (3) Michael Carroll ( BannValley) (4) Ryan Shaw (5) Chris Beattie (6) Matthew Brennan (7) Richard Reid (8) Quinton McFall (9) Alan Blair (10) Tommy Wilson (11) Clifford Grant (12) Adrian Kerr all at 25 seconds (13) Bobby Currie at1 min 49 Seconds (14) Emma Smyth at 4 min 37 Seconds (15) Claire Gillespie (16) Maeve Savage (17) Stephen Smyth all at 4 minutes 37 Seconds.

YOUTHS

The youth race for the Clarkes tyres cup was held over one lap, 5 miles, and it resulted in another win for newcomer Andrew Wallace who made the most of his starting handicap to hold off the challenge of George Graham by 42 seconds. Emma Gordon was third at 1 minute 25 seconds.

While still on the theme of youth racing - Cycling Ulster intend to send two teams to the Donegal International Youth Tour which will take place from 4th to the 6th of August.

They are requesting riders, who are interested in representing Ulster in this event, to return some information to the team selectors using a form which may be downloaded from the Cycling Ulster web site.

There will be an age category 1 team, for boys born in 1996/97 or girls born in 1994/95, and an age category 2 team for boys born in 1998/99 or girls born 1996/97.

It should be noted that all riders on the CU teams will be under the supervision of the team management in the lead up to the start through to the end of each race. At all other times during the weekend the riders will be under the supervision of their parents or guardians. As such CU will not organise any accommodation or meals etc. for the riders, these should be organised by parents or guardians.

BRC rider George Graham has already entered for this event and he is keen that other Ballymena youth riders will also enter.

Riders should also pre-enter the event themselves and if selected for the Cycling Ulster team their team/club status will be updated. CU will reimburse the entry fee and will give an accommodation subsidy to all riders selected.

If you are interested please complete the form below and return to Colin Hughes via [email protected] no later than Mon 16th July.

ULSTER 50 CHAMPIONSHIP

John Heverin (Clann Eireann) won last Sunday’s Ulster 50 miles time trial championship at Woodgreen in a new Irish senior and veteran record of 1 hour 45 minutes 42 seconds (subject to ratification by Cycling Ireland).

Heverin, who won the Tommy Givan Memorial 50 cup, was almost two minutes ahead of the promoting club’s Mark Greer. Stevie McAllister of Ballymoney took bronze. Rachael Withers (West Tyrone Velo) was the fastest woman, while Phoenix lifted the team title.

Ballymena’s only representative was Adrian Kerr who recorded a respectable time of 2 hours 9 minutes 25 seconds for 20th position.

Adrian’s time also counts for the Ballymena Road Club time trial best all-rounder championship. The 50 miles event is the only qualifying distance where “non club race” results are accepted. The reason for this is that there is only one 50 miles event on the Road Club’s calendar whereas there are three opportunities at both 10 miles and 25 miles distances.

Ballymena Road Club was forced to postpone its recent Sam McQuigg cup 50 miles time trial because of heavy rain and poor visibility. The club hopes to announce a new date for this race soon.

50 miles time trial championship results.

(1) John Heverin (Clann Eireann) 1 hour 45 minutes 42 seconds. (2) Mark Greer (Maryland) 1.47.18 (3) Stephen McAllister (Ballymoney) 1.55.00 (4) Brendan McCourt (Northern) 1.56.52 (5) Desi Foley (Phoenix) 1.56.56 (6) Declan McMackin (North Down) 1.57.51(20) Adrian Kerr (BRC) 2.09.25

Heverin was again successful when the fifth round of the David McCall Foundation time trial league series took place on Thursday evening on the 10 miles Time Trial course at Ballydonaghy.

Heverin (Clann Eireann) clocked a winning time of 20 minutes 20 seconds. The next fastest rider was Rodney Stewart (TVR) with a 21:16. Thomas Martin (Eurocycles) took third place with a 21:36.

Best for Ballymena Road Club was Matthew Brennan who was eleventh with 22.16 (12) Ryan Currie 22.18 (25) Nigel Kernohan 24.25 (31) Adrian Kerr 25.39 (36) Maeve Savage 27.07

CALENDAR

Wednesday 11th July. The Ballymena Road Club – Northstone – club race event this week is a five miles time trial on the Woodgreen to Ballee and back course starting from 7pm. This event will count for the BRC ladies’ and also juniors’ time trial best all-rounder championships.

Tuesday 17th July Bann Valley road race Lisnagrot circuit at Kilrea 7.30pm

Wednesday 18th July Sammy Connor cup 33 miles scratch road race 7pm. This event is the official Ballymena Road Club road race championship for the 2012 season. The riders will compete over three laps of the Broughshane, Buckna, Sheddings, Carnlough road circuit.

The chief marshall is Sammy Connor and his assistants are listed as: Adrian Moody, John Hunter, Louise Fullerton, Eileen McFarland and John Hunter.

Two other marshalls, on Sammy’s list, are absent or on holiday so if anyone else can assist then please contact Sammy and offer your services.