Eileen wins Road Club’s Combat Cancer Cup

There was a field of 23 riders for the event which forms part of the club’s Northstone sponsored club race series.

Carroll, who also won the Stan Finlay memorial 10 miles time trial two weeks earlier, recorded a winning time of 56 minutes 47 seconds, for a 16 seconds margin of victory over Matthew Brennan.

Brennan, in turn, was 13 seconds faster than Tommy Wilson, who was third with 57.16. In fact only 28 seconds covered second place to fifth place in what was a closely fought race.

Emma Smyth was fastest in the ladies section with 67 minutes 26 seconds. Claire Gillespie was second with 68.32 and Eileen Burns third on 69.19.

The Combat Cancer cup goes to the winner of the handicap section and it was Eileen Burns who took the honours for the silverware. Eileen rode her fastest ever time trial when she recorded 69 minutes 19 seconds. She won the handicap with a net time of 56 minutes 44 seconds.

Results – fastest times. (1) Mike Carroll 0:56:47 (2) Matthew Brennan 0:57:03(3) Tommy Wilson 0:57:16 (4) Ryan Currie 0:57:26 (5) Connor Young 0:57:31 (6) Jim Burns 1:02:45 (7) Nigel Kernohan 1:02:56 (8) David Dougan 1:03:55 (9) Stephen Smyth 1:04:00 (10) Adrian Kerr 1:04:22 (11) David Kennedy 1:05:17 (12) John Maxwell 1:06:08 (13) Neil Millar 1:06:13 (14) Jason Burns 1:06:59 (15) Emma Smyth 1:07:26 (16) Richard Reid 1:07:32 (17) Leo McCavana 1:07:57

(18) Claire Gillespie 2 (19) Bobby Currie 1:09:01 (20) Eileen Burns 1:09:19 (21) Beresford Millar 1:14:52.

Visitors: (1) Craig Crawford (Duffin Transport) 1:00:44 (2) S. Carley (Muckamore) 1:02:26

Handicap result (for the Combat Cancer cup): (1) Eileen Burns 56.44 (2) Jim Burns 57.15 (3) John Maxwell 57.27 (4) Mike Carroll 57.30 (5) Stephen Smyth 57.36 (6) Jason Burns 57.43

INTER-CLUB LEAGUE

Ballymena Road Club’s racing cyclists held a meeting last Monday night regarding the 2013 inter club road race series.

Racing committee member Hall Booth explains: “An interclub meeting was held on Monday night past to iron out who was riding and how to select the Ballymena RC riders for the interclub rounds this season.”

“The problem this year is that club teams have been reduced from 13 to 10 riders. So far 21 Ballymena riders have put themselves forward to ride in the races and with only the 10 places available there was the need for the meeting as to how best to select riders.”

“Those attending decided that the teams would be picked by Hall Booth and Hugh McCullough and would be picked on availability, course suitability, points accumulated and not merely on ability.

It is the club’s intention to try and get everyone at least a couple of rounds of the series; we hope to balance selection against fairness whilst at the same time trying to win the league again this year.

“Any other rider from the club who wishes to be added to the “squad” should make themselves known to Hall or Hugh. Riders turning up unannounced this year will unfortunately not get starting.” Added Hall

The first round is Spires on the 9th May and the team for it is: Last year’s series winner - Ryan Bankhead (Road Captain) Alan Blair, Nigel Kernohan, Richard Reid, Ryan Currie, Mike Carroll, Karl Taylor, Clifford Grant, Connor Young and Chris Beattie.

Any BRC Ladies wishing to race can turn up on the night and ride any of the events and it is hoped that as many as possible will do so

The Ballymena round is scheduled for Wednesday 29th May when the Glens road race course will be used. The start will be in Broughshane and the route will take in Carnlough, Garron Tower, Waterfoot, Glenariffe Glen and on through Cargan and Martinstown to Rathkenny. Then it’s a left turn on to Knockan road with the finish at the top of the brae.

Rounds follow at Ballymoney on 5th June, Bann Wheelers 18th June, Carn Wheelers 25th July and Bann Valley 15th August.