Two wins in three days for BCC riders

McAllister romped to victory in Bangor last weekend beating over 50 other racers to the line in what was described as a sensational race.

Then last Wednesday night saw Niall O’Hagan ride off from the rest of his group to win on the old yet legendary “Tullaghans Road Race” circuit. This course was described by past winner of the race in 1986 David Wallace as a ‘course for hard men and talented youth!’

23 riders signed on at the start in Finvoy some with no idea of the challenge that lay ahead, but bravely they set off in groups carefully handicapped to ensure a fair result was obtained for those who choose to ride hard and fast.

Local schoolboy sensations Aaron Swan and Craig Crawford both under 14, set off along with the experinced Sam Greer in the front group.

Craig and Aaron are using these type of races at Ballymoney to prepare for other events on their callendar and the type of courses and level of competition suits them down to the ground. Ballymoney CC are freely offering their assistance to both young men in their further quest for success in Irish schoolboy cycling.

Five times up to St Mary’s cross with the last time over the top to meet the chequered flag was what Ryan Patton designed for the field, a total of 24 miles.

As the groups set off it was clear to everyone from the start that Niall O’Hagan and Jerome McKendry (Ballymoney CC) were not here to make up the numbers.

Niall was driving hard at the front of his group at every opportunity in an attempt to escape the somewhat indecisive riding by the scratch group of Jason Henry (U/A) Bobby Kane (BCC) and Stevie McAllister (BCC).

Seasoned campaigners Neville Patton, Oliver Bateson along with new to road racing Jason Taggart showed no mercy as they caught newcomer to the club and cycle racing Jeff McLaughlin.

Jeff a keen sportsman in the Ballymoney area for years has wisely decided that it is time to be successful at bike racing. And along with Martin Doughert, Johnny Dillon, Nigel Elder and John Patton the race to be first across the line had to be achieved.

At the Long Lane with three mile to go for the final time and the scratch group of three almost on them, Niall and Jerome drove the pace to the limit, at the “Doctors Corner” and on the bottom of the final ascent to the finish, both men were committed to just one result and on this occasion Niall was the one who rode off on his own with a surge of power that took him clear giving at the line a very clear and unchallenged victory.

Final Classified Result

1st Niall O’Hagan (BCC) 58mins 18secs

2nd Mark Wilkinson (BW) @ 18secs

3rd Jerome McKendry (BCC) @ 24secs

4th Craig Crawford (U14 Schoolboy) @ 37secs.

5th Neville Patton (BCC) @ 47secs

6th Jason Henry (U/A) @ 54secs

7th Bobby Kane (BCC)

8th Steven McAllister (BCC)

9th Johnny Dillon (BCC)

10th Aaron Swan (U14 Schoolboy)

11th Martin Doughert (BCC)

12th Phil Smith (BCC)

13th Jason Taggart (BCC)

14th Nigel Elder (BCC)

15th John Patton (BCC)

16th Jeff McLaughlin (BCC)

17th Aaron Dickie (BCC)

Emyvale Grand Prix, McAllister 10th for Ballymoney CC

In blistering heat and a field of over 200 riders, divided amongst A1 to schoolboys, Emyvale CC organised a race that is a credit to cycling here in Ireland.

Steven McAllister, (Ballymoney CC) represented his club in the 53 mile race over 5 laps at the village of Tydavnet in Co. Monaghan. Steven in his usual style was at the front from the start in his first race from being upgraded to this higher level from last weeks victory in Bangor.

In typical amatuer racing the pace was hectic from the start, and the Ballymoney lad tried to latch onto small breaks that were doomed to fail due to what can only be described as negative racing. What happens is a small group of riders will attempt to escape the main field, then a rider with no aspirations to win will come from the centre of the bunch and burst himself (do a short hard ride) to secure that the group is caught again.

He then drops back into oblivion. Job done.

On the narrow roads the race saw competitors fom Cork, Limerick, Westport, Galway, Dublin and a sparkling from the north, East Antrim, Phoenix, Belfast, Ballymena and Ballymoney do battle for the honours on the line, the uphill sprint was just too much and the Ballymoney rider and he had to settle for a very creditable 10th place.

Final result:

1st Andrew Bradley (ETCC)

2nd Andrew Hunter (Northern)

3rd Kevin Nulty (Stamullen)

10th Steven McAllister (BCC) all same time.

Special ride for Meningitis Research

Ballymoney Cycling Club do not wish to be seen to be claiming unfair media coverage for their committment to supporting Charities and worthy causes that lie close to all our hearts. This is a one off special exception!

This week, Friday 28th May, a member and club run group leader Charlie Dickson is riding from Portrush to the Downings in Donegal a total of 92miles.

Charlie is doing this ride to raise funds for Meningitis Research.

Here is how we all can help this wonderful charity and their efforts,

All we have to do is guess how long it takes Charlie to ride the 92 miles! Each guess is worth 2 and that goes to Meningitis Research.

Please support Charlie in his courageous and cause driven ride on Friday, all donations can be given at the clubs next Club meeting on Tuesday night 1st June 2010.

XTRA special event for BCC members

When Ballymoney Cycling Club reformed again back in November 2009, it was decided that every step of the way would be designed to help our riders and members progression.

By helping we mean getting the correct preparation, nutrition, racing and training information made freely available to ALL our members and friends.

As there are so many so called experts out there today, race secretary Ryan Patton and old school pro Maurice McAllister dug deep into their resourches of knowledge, and have made available on the 1st of May a professional cyclist who has ridden in Belgium for five years, competed at the top in every level, won the famous Ras in 2008 and dozens of other quality Classic Races.

This top professional cyclist will be available to advise all Ballymoney CC riders at the Joey Dunlop Centre from 7.30pm next Tuesday night.

We are sorry at this time we cannot invite other cyclists outside Ballymoney CC to attend this event as it is exclusive to BCC members only.

Club Races

On Wednesday night Ballymoney Cycling Club will hold the 16.7Km TT starting at Moores Uni Drill on the Kirk Road from 7pm.

Hope to see you all there!