East Antrim hosts the Audi Grand Prix at Ballynure 29 May 2010
Date: Saturday 29 May 2010 Event: Audi GP Location: Ballynure Host club: East Antrim Audi CC
Report: Tommy Lamb (Cycling Ulster)
The East Antrim trio of Jack Wilson, Gary Cranston
and Glenn Kinning dominated their home club promotion of the Audi Grand
Prix at Ballynure today. The A race saw a eight man break go early on
with Cranston, Kinning and Wilson getting away from this group with
North Pole’s Rory Devlin. They were hotly chased by the Liam Curran
(Curran Racing), Noel Wilson (East Tyrone), Jason Henry (U/A), Ronnie
Smyth and Darren Weir (Dromara CC) and Barry Doyle (Harps CC).
However the leaders maintained a steady gap of
about 45 seconds from the chasers with the gap back to the peleton
rising to almost four minutes. In the penultimate lap Kinning decided to
go early but was quickly followed by Devlin. These two rode clear of
all chasers but on the line it was Kinning, despite a broken spoke, who
had the extra kick to solo home followed some seconds later by Devlin.
Wilson and Cranston took third and fourth while the Liam Currran lead in
the chasers to sixth place from Dromara’s Ronnie Smyth. This was a
great ride by 22 year old Devlin who was out with illness in th eearly
part of the year.
Both Bryan McKinney (Bann Wheelers) and John Smyth
(Phoenix CC) were promoted to the third category ranks after finishing
first and second in the B race of the Audi Grand Prix. The bunch stayed
together throughout the race with McKinney opening up the sprint from a
long way out. He managed to pull off the win quite comfortably with
Smyth getting the runner-up verdict from Gary Kendall (Bann Wheelers)
and Keith Sharpe (Roe Valley). The Donegal visitors gained consolation
with a fifth place from North Pole CC’s Damian Lagan with Phoenix CC’s
Geoff Hewitt completing the final placings.
Kay Hack (Bann Wheelers) and Lisa Mann (Roe Valley
CC) were the only two women to complete the race. They rode steadily
throughout with Lisa getting dropped at one point. However she dug in
and managed to catch up with Hack. The two women then worked well
together to finish.
The race was run in wet and cold conditions which was such a change
from last weekend’s glorious weather. Punctures and mechanicals
dominated the early part of the race with many riders calling it a day.
The refreshments after the race were much appreciated by all concerned.
RESULTS: Audi Grand Prix A Race – Ballynure –
55 Miles 1. Glenn Kinning (East Antrim – Audi) 2-19-30
2. Rory Devlin (North Pole CC) ST
3. Jack Wilson (East Antrim – Audi) @ 1-20
4. Gary Cranston (East Antrim – Audi) ST
5. Liam Curran (Curran Racig) @2-40
6. Ronnie Smith (Dromara CC) ST
7. Jason Henry (U/A
8. Darren Weir (Dromara CC)
9. Noel Wilson (East Tyrone)
Also racing Davy McKnight, Damien McDonald, Derek Hanna
Audi Grand Prix B Race – 30 Miles 1. Bryan McKinney (Bann Wheelers) 1-23-00
2. John Smyth (Phoenix CC)
3. Gary Kendall (Bann Wheelers)
4. Keith Sharp (Roe Valley CC)
5. Damien Lagan (North Pole CC)
6. Geoff Hewitt (Phoenix CC)
Also racing Paul Mawhirt, Mark McKnight, Brian McGrath
Photos below by Gavin Magowan (Dromara Cycling Club)
