Stephen arrives on Road Club stage

ONE of Ballymena Road Club–Scott Roof Tiles' newest club members, Stephen McNeilly from Cushendall, took the honours in last Tuesday night's road race at Clough.

The event was held over eight laps of the Mid Antrim 150 motor cycle racing circuit, as part of the village's week long celebrations, and it attracted 21 starters with another five in the youth race.

The entrants went off in four groups, each of which was two minutes apart, for a total handicap of six minutes.

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McNeilly started in the third group and after a few laps had caught all ahead of him and was in the lead alone.

The scratch group had caught everyone except McNeilly with three of the 3.6 miles laps remaining and then Philip Bremner attacked on the climb to Clough on the penultimate lap. He set out on a lone pursuit of McNeilly but was still 26 seconds behind at the finish.

McNeilly won in fine style after 70 minutes 44 seconds of more or less solo racing. Bremner was second at 26 seconds while road racing league leader Matthew Brennan led in a group of five chasers at 1 minute 27 seconds for third. Conor McAllister had been with this group until crashing at the exit from Dundought road on the last lap. I understand that a mechanical problem caused the fall.

Last year's winner Uel Cunningham (Michelin) finished fourth. (5) Mark McCullough (6) Sam Davidson (7) Tommy Wilson all at 1.27. (8) Adrian Kerr at 1.36 (9) Martin Ruddy (10) Alan McKee at 3.21 (11) Alan Blair at 4.16 (12) Simon Taggart at 5.20 (13) Nigel Kernohan at 8.34 (14) Sammy Kerr at 8.40 (15) Tom Douds at 8.44

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The youth race was held over one lap of the same course with Adam McCullough winning in 11 minutes 14 seconds, some 33 seconds ahead of second placed Marc Moody (3) Josh Barr at 41 seconds (4) Emma Gordon at 2 minutes (5) Stefan Wills at 2.39.

Last week's Clough race was the fifth round of the club's seven race road racing league series. Matthew Brennan's third place was worth 8 points and he has extended his overall lead and now has a total of 33 points.

Mark McCullough has moved up to second with 29 while David Dougan has slipped one place to third after failing to finish at Clough, he has 23 points.

(4) Sam Davidson 20 points (5) Steven McNeilly 18 points equal (6) and (7) Sean Wright Alan Blair 17 points each. (8) Tommy Wilson 14 points.

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A rider's best score from six of the seven rounds will count for the overall league so that they don't miss out while on marshalling duties. This is just as well because third placed David Dougan is on duty this week at Glarryford.

SUCCESS FOR GEDDIS

Ballymena Road Club had three riders in the first six places in last Wednesday night's inter club road race which was promoted by Carn wheelers at Curran near Tobermore.

The event was won by Stephen Walsh of the promoting club with BRC's Brian Geddis second. Martin Ruddy was fourth and Alan Blair sixth.

The fourth and final round will be hosted by Bann Valley at Gortmacrane Kilrea on Tuesday 10th August.

MCALLISTER'S WOODGREEN WIN

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Conor McAllister recovered from his fall at Clough on Tuesday night to record a decisive victory, from 81 entrants, in Thursday night’s 10 miles time trial league event at Woodgreen.

Conor recorded 19 minutes 54 seconds to beat second placed John Madden by 29 seconds. BRC's David McClean was 45th with 22.56.

Ballymena’s Darrell Erwin set a new 10 miles record time for “hand cycling” when he clocked 34 minutes 15 seconds.

THREE DAY RACE

This week will see Ballymena Road Club riders take part in the second edition of their “three day” race for the Ballymena Borough Council trophy.

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Stage one tonight Tuesday 3rd August is the Sherdan Caldwell memorial hill climb at Crebilly. On Wednesday night it’s a five miles time trial from Woodgreen to Ballee roundabout and back.

The event is rounded off with Thursday night’s Sammy Gaston cup 25 miles road race over five laps of the Dunminning circuit starting in Glarryford. (The Gaston cup race will also be round six of the road racing league series)

The chief marshall for the Sammy Gaston cup is Martin Ruddy who will be assisted by Derek and David Dougan, Hugh and Joan McCullough, Clive Morris and Steven Workman.

All races have a 7pm starting time with the youth section also in action on the Tuesday and Thursday nights at the same location as the seniors.

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The top 20 riders on each stage will be awarded points towards the overall classification. Last year Conor McAllister took the overall honours having won the time trial and road race stages with his brother Leo winning the hill climb.

Thursday 5th August. 10 miles time trial league event at Toomebridge from 7pm.

Friday 6th August. Lurgan criterium town centre racing from 7pm.

Saturday 7th August. Madigan grand prix Kilroot Carrickfergus 11am starting time.

Saturday 7th August. Lough Neagh charity tour from Crumlin.

Sunday 8th August. Tour of Armagh Lurgan 12 noon.

Monday 9th August. Ballymena Road Club’s youth section will hold their Tully hill climb from Portglenone forest gates at 7pm.