the second weekend of road racing
Report of the action
Wallace Caldwell John Haldane Memorial
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Darren Weir chosen for the
Cycling Ulster Team after the second weekend of road racing Report of the action Wallace Caldwell John Haldane Memorial |
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| John Haldane Memorial Race 9 March 2008 On Sunday at Hilltown the John Haldane Memorial was promoted by Newry Wheelers. For the first time Newry decided on a different race format running two separate events. The 'A' Race was a handicapped affair which saw the two professional Pezula riders Armstrong and Connor off on their own, two minutes behind the 1st category riders and a further five minutes behind the 2nd category competitors. The pair managed to catch the 1st Cat bunch. They then jumped clear with Usher duo Peter Hawkins and Matthew Ward but six riders from the first group Frazer Duncan and Paul Kane (Northern-Dave Kane), Peter Wilson (Maryland), Thomas Martin (Clann Eireann-Linen Green), Conor McAllister (Ballymena) and Mark Greer (Maryland) had escaped the main field and finished the 50 mile race in that order. While much of the race was run off in bright but bitterly cold conditions, Duncan took his win with hailstones lashing across the line In the separate 'B' event for third cat riders East Tyrone's Stephen Bruce chalked up his first ever win coming home 2 seconds clear of a massive bunch. This event saw the riders covering three laps of the 13 mile circuit. Apart from a few riders who were dropped early on this bunch was determined to stick together despite valiant attempts by a number of riders such as Ballymena's Liam Nelson, Ards man Paul McMinn and Dromara's Darren Weir. Darren felt he was a marked man, as over two laps he tried repeatedly to escape the bunch only to be reeled in by a string of different riders. In the end it came down to a massive bunch sprint for the remaining places which were taken by Paul McMinn (Ards CC), Ryan Bankhead (Ballymena-Scott Tiles) Liam Nelson (Ballymena-Scott Tiles), Andy Hunter (Northern-Dave Kane) and Brian Mimnagh (Omagh Wheelers, with Dromara duo Darren Weir and Ronnie Smyth both finishing in the top ten. Darren Weirs aggressive riding and overall strong showing confirmed his place in the Cycling Ulster Team. David McKnight was selected for this race last March and went on to achieve Cat 1 status. The new race format seemed to be a success in that it provided the opportunity for third cats to gain valuable points. The problem with the system currently is that too few riders are moving up to Senior 2 ranks thus leaving this group too small to be really competitive. Perhaps other race organisers will re-think some of their events especially when large fields are anticipated After the race Cycling Ulster named their squad for next Sunday's Saint Patrick's Classic from Downpatrick to Armagh which excludes first category riders. The province will be represented by Ballymena duo Conor McAllister and Ryan Bankhead, Thomas Martin (Clann Eireann-Linen Green), Paul Kane (Northern-Dave Kane) and Dromara CC's Darren Weir. This is a great personal achievement for Darren and all at Dromara Cycling Club applaud his efforts. John Haldane Memorial - Hilltown - A Race 1 Fraser Duncan (Northern-Dave Kane) 2 Paul Kane (Northern-Dave Kane) 3 Peter Wilson (Maryland Wheelers) 4 Thomas Martin (Clann Eireann-Linen Green) 5 Conor McAllister (Ballymena-Scott Tiles) 6 Mark Greer (Maryland Wheelers) 7 Ryan Connor (Pezula) 8 Adam Armstrong (Pezula) 9 Peter Hawkins (Usher Irish Road Club) 10 Matthew Ward (Usher Irish Road Club) John Haldane Memorial - Hilltown - B Race 1 Stephen Bruce (East Tyrone Auto Parts) 2 Paul McMinn (Ards CC) 3 Ryan Bankhead (Ballymena-Scott Tiles) 4 Liam Nelson (Ballymena-Scott Tiles) 5 Andy Hunter (Northern/Dave Kane) 6 Brian Mimnagh (Omagh Wheelers) |
Darren and Ronnie
Ronnie
Davy
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| Photos courtesy of Marian Lamb, Cycling
Ulster |