Sean wins 25-mile TT Championship

The conditions were not conducive to fast times as the testers faced a strong southerly breeze during the event. Defending champion, Sean Kealey, was the fastest man on the night. Sean rode strongly over the twenty five mile distance, his strength was evident when he was powering into the strong northerly wind.

Sean past timekeeper, Ian Nevin in a time of 55.53, which was exceptional taking into account the conditions. Runner-up was Dominic Drumm, who, at fifty-five, is riding very strongly and recorded a time of 1.00.18.

Sharman Crawford continues to impress in the discipline. He finished third just nine seconds behind Dominic. Mark Wilkenson put in an impressive ride to take fourth in a personal best time of 1.02.35. Damien Hazlett continues to improve with a personal best of 1.08.03.Damien’s determination and commitment are certainly paying dividends.

Derek McMenemy produced an excellent ride in his first attempt at the distance finishing sixth in 1.08.43. Sammy Greer is another rider who is ignoring the birth certificate! Sammy recorded an excellent time of 1.11.11, finishing seventh. J

ames Thompson was eighth in 1.11.42 and Colm McIlfatrick ninth in 1.14.48.

Meanwhile, under-14 rider Brandon Herald travelled to Loughguile last Saturday to compete in his first open event, the Ras Loughguile.

Brandon rode strongly throughout the race and finished second. The event was certainly good experience for Brandon who could mix it with the best youth cyclists in Ireland if football was not his first sport!

Brandon rode a five-mile time trial last Tuesday night and recorded 15.43.

* LAST Tuesday night the Bann Wheelers held their club road race championship over four laps of the undulating Coolyvenny circuit.

Ten riders presented at the start line with second category riders Kyle Cromie and triple Irish time trial record holder John Madden being clear favourites for victory.

The race stayed together in the first lap with Colm McIlfatrick showing great determination to hang in with Cromie and Madden.

However, Madden and Cromie upped the pace in the second lap, going clear and continued to open a gap of over a minute on the chasing Mark Wilkenson and Ciaran Mullan.

The race came down to a sprint between the pair with Cromie edging out the veteran record holder for first place.

Just over a minute later Mark Wilkenson beat Ciaran Mullan home for third place.

James Thompson put in an excellent ride to take fifth, just ahead of loyal servant to the club Davy Parke .

Nigel Kerr also produced a great ride to take seventh, young Damien Hazlett showed his usual determination to finish eighth and ninth was Colm McIlfatrick who in his trademark style rode with determination to finish the race.