Trio beat conditions at Tour of the North

As has become recent tradition, the four day race kicked off on Good Friday at the foot of Stormont Hill with short but nasty one mile prologue time trial finishing at the steps of Parliament buildings. Fastest rider on the night was Philip Lavery of Cycling Ulster.

Stage two had the riders on the local roads of Co. Doan and tackling the steep ascent of Slieve croob, usually a favourite hunting ground of Aiken's. Not disappointing the local fans, Roger was amongst the front runners at the top of the climb and was active in the front break while riding on behalf of Planet X team leader, 2009 race winner, Martyn Irvine.

Roger remained at the front of the action for the remainder of the stage and finished in the front group to take sixth place. Philip Lavery once again proved the fastest and won the stage to retain his yellow leader jersey.

Stage three, in Limavady, had to be moved from it's original route due to the heavy snow fall but this proved to be good fortune for the race as it proved to one of the best stages seen in recent editions of the tour due to the stunning scenery and tough racing.

Despite having to face eight climbs during the stage the riders attacked from the drop of the flag with Planet X riders constantly jumping off the front of the race to put the remainder of the field under pressure. Also riding on the Planet X team for 2010, Liam McGreevy was active in the attacking but ultimately paid the price for his efforts and withdrew shortly before the finish.

Rapha Condor rider Matt Cronshaw won the stage closely followed by former British champion Hamish Haynes, guesting for the VC Ecosse team of Scotland, who had done enough to take over the race lead.

The riders faced a tough final stage, starting in Ballymena and tackling the exposed and windy coast roads. Again the action started from the drop of the flag and it was former race leader Lavery of Cycling Ulster that was in the thick of the action with Martyn Irvine, Planet X, and Australian Dean Windsor of Rapha Condor.

The trio quickly established a healthy gap to put race leader Haynes under pressure. Putting in his performance of the weekend young Banbridge rider, Pater Lilley, who was also guesting on the Scottish VC Ecosse team positioned himself at the front of the main bunch to spearhead the chase, showing just how much he had progressed to tackle his first year in the senior ranks.

Coming to the finish line Lavery had done enough to hold of Haynes for the overall victory with what can only be described as an epic ride. Martyn Irvine also made the most of the break to pick up enough points to win the King of the Mountains competition.

- Banbridge CC kicked off their domestic club racing season on the Rathfriland Road last Wednesday evening with the Mac 2-up Trophy Time Trial competition. Fastest pairing of the night was that of the in form Terry Mackin and Daniel Purdy with a time of 24.59 on the rolling course.

Other notable times were those of the riders who were riding individually; Under 14 rider Mark Downey recording a personal best of 27.29 and first year junior Matthew Adair with a time of 24.02.

This week’s race will be the second round of three of the Mac 2-Up Trophy starting on the Lurgan Road, taking in Gilford, Scarva and finishing back in Banbridge on the Scarva Road. Riders are asked to be there in preparation for a sharp 7pm start.

Mac 2-Up Trophy, Wednesday April 7: Daniel Purdy / Terry Mackin 24m 59s; Richard Alhadeff / Lee Clarke 25m 03s; Mark Mulligan / Adrian Peake 25m 58s; Stephen O'Hagan / Michael Curran 26m 03s; Jamie Hodgett / Ed Hodgett 28m 16s; Paul McGuiken / Carbrie McGovern 28m 42s; Paul Anderson / Stevie Prentice 29m 04s; Jim Daly / Stephen O'Neill 30m 12s; Mark Downey 27m 29s; Michael Larkin 27m 05s; Kevin McAlinden 24m 54s; Scott Daly 26m 58s; Matthew Adair 24m 02s.

- Banbridge CC's Adrian Finnigan carried some of his recent form to secure his first points of the season with a fine fourth place at the Gerald Long Memorial, Kildress.

The undulating circuit in the hills of Tyrone looked to suit the Gilford rider who was active at the front for the entire race. This will result will encourage Adrian as he prepares to tackle the Sean McGreevy race held on the notoriously tough Dromore/Ballykeel/Hillsborough circuit on Saturday.