Record entry for twentieth annual Sperrin Challenge

A RECORD entry of 163 cyclists took part in last Sunday's 20th annual Sperrin Challenge Sportive, promoted by the RT Autoparts East Tyrone Club.
By The Newsroom
Published 3rd Aug 2010, 15:12 BST
Updated 3rd Aug 2010, 16:16 BST

Moneymore Recreation Centre was the event headquarters and to mark 20 years of staging the challenge, event organiser Rod Davison had surpassed anything that had gone before with one of the most epic routes through the Sperrin range.

The Sperrin Challenge has gained notoriety over the years but increasing numbers of cyclists continue to test themselves in an area of excellent scenery with some of the most demanding cycling roads in Ulster.

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Sperrin Tourism, based at the Manor House, Moneymore supported this year's event which will undoubtedly raise the profile of the challenge and the Sperrins as a tourist destination.

There was a choice of distances of 75, 55 and 35 miles with tough climbs at Cullion Gap, The Birren, Dart Pass and Sawelbeg, totalling 7000ft of climbing for the many who choose the maximum distance.

The East Tyrone Club would like to thank the various companies who generously supported this year's event including Allen's Chemist, Cookstown Cycles, Tesco, Rocwell Spring Water, Asda, McGlaughlin's Bakery, Bluebell's Restaurant, Cooper Motorcycles and Stanley Lindsay and Son Cycles.

Also, a big thankyou to all the willing band of volunteers who help to make the event a success, especially the St John's Ambulance Brigade (Cookstown Branch), the Royal Marshals, Checkpoint Controllers, registration officials, caterers, the staff of RT Autoparts Cookstown for providing the BBQ at the finish and the support vehicle drivers who did a very efficient job on the day and the recreation officer and staff of Moneymore Recreation Centre for all their assistance.

Bradley takes overall lead with win at Churchtown

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Andrew Bradley moved into the overall lead in the Burrows Engineering Road Race League when he won the bunch sprint in last week's sixth round.

Stephen Hutchinson and Chris McCann placed second and third after four laps of the tough Churchtown circuit. Newcomer Paul Quinn (Island Whs), who held the overall lead since winning the opening round, now drops to third overall after finishing twelfth.

Result in detail (RT Autoparts East Tyrone unless stated):

1 Andrew Bradley 1hr 19mins 3secs

2 S Hutchinson

3 C McCann

4 B McComb

5 JP Connolly (Omagh Whs)

6 N Wilson

7 N Smyth

8 M Steele

9 P Withers (West Tyrone)

10 E Magwood

11 N McGeagh

12 P Quinn (Island Whs)

13 R Davidson (Island Whs) all ST as winner

14 C Lindsay at 10s

15 Ann McFarland at 14s

Selected others: M Graham (Island Whs) ST; I Wilkinson at 26s; J McLaughlin (Island Whs) at 2.53; R Bloomer (u16 Harps) at 5.22; G Seffen ST; J Glasgow at 5.26; G Glendinning ST; G Leonard at 8.47

Youth event (14 miles)

Under 14

1 Pierce Atchison

2 James McGirr (West Tyrone Velo)

3 Lee Somerville

Under 12

1 Conor McCann

2 Conor Boyle (Juiced Orchard)

Leading overall senior placings (after six rounds)

Andrew Bradley 67pts; Stephen Hutchinson 63pts; Paul Quinn 58pts; Brian McComb 46pts; Nevin Smyth 44pts; Noel Wilson 44pts; Gary Jeffers 35pts

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There is no racing this week. The penultimate round of the Burrows Engineering Road Race League will be held on the Cement Works circuit on Thursday 12 August.

All participants should note that for the remainder of the season, the start time will be 7pm.