'Wheels on fire'

With good representation across all age categories highly impressive performances and well placed finishes have been rolling in.

The season opener with The Phoenix GP saw 150 cyclists signing on for the three races on the Nutts Corner Circuit. Roe Valleys ladies were to the fore with Mary Boyd sprinting to 2nd place. Lisa Mann and Nicky McBride rode strongly amongst a very high quality field. In the senior men's race George Boyd came home a strong 6th in a large bunch sprint followed closely behind by Alistair Bratten. The P.J. Logan Cup promoted by Island Wheelers at Coalisland was next up on the calendar and again Roe Valley ladies were to the fore. Lisa Mann showed great strength and aggression with an attack which took her and North Down C.C. rider Rachel Mitchell clear of the chasing bunch. Managing to keep their pursuers at bay the result came down to a two up sprint with Lisa just being piped on the line finishing an excellent 2nd place. Nicky McBride also rode well as ladies cycling continue to flourish. In the men's senior race Alistair Bratten demonstrated his fine early season form finishing well up in the large bunch sprint finish. Next race on the agenda for Roe Valley C.C. rides was the Ciclisport Grand Prix promoted by East Tyrone CC at Moneymore. In the senior men's race on a very testing nine mile loop Alistair Bratten used all his experience to put in another impressive ride. The Roe Valley youth riders of brothers Kyle and Blaine Cole made their mark in the underage races. Blaine finished just outside the main placings and Kyle was just beaten to the line in by half a wheel, finishing a brilliant 2nd. The picturesque Bartins Bay on the shores of Lough Neagh was the location for the Aghagallon Cup with ten Roe Valley riders taking to the start line. The day got off to a great start with Hannah Sharp out sprinting the boys to win her class. In the next age group Blaine Cole and Kerry Boyd took part in an ultra competitive high paced race. Blaine finishing 5th in a bunch sprint and Kerry rode strongly against all the boys. Next up in the A4 race fifteen year old Kyle Cole and Alistair Bratten were involved in thirty five miles of high speed action. Kyle was competing with the senior men for the first time and was never far from the front of the sixty rider bunch, going on the attack on several occasions. In the mass sprint finish Kyle finished 11th hindered by his restricted gear size. Alistair again finished comfortably in the bunch just outside the main positions. The final race of the date saw Declan McCartney and George Boyd taking part in the A3 race over fifty miles. In what turned out to be a very tactical race the final few laps being run at a frantic pace to claw back a small break away group. The race came together in the final mile for a mass bunch sprint with both Declan and George finishing comfortably in the middle of the main bunch. Roe Valley C.C. start their race season on April 14th with a five mile time trial on the Seacoast Road with races every Wednesday until September. The club has a growing number of members of all ages and abilities as cycling enjoys a boom in popularity. The club holds several group rides on Saturday and Sunday mornings catering for a range of abilities. For further information contact Keith Tel. 77722854 or www.roevalleycc.net.