15 May 2010
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| Tommy Givan Road Road 15 May 2010 b | |
| Saturday 15 May 2010 Hillsborough Report by Marian Lamb, Cycling Ulster Ahoghill’s Ryan Connor (Usher IRC) scored his fourth successive win in the Tommy Givan Memorial road race at Hillsborough today, promoted by Maryland Wheelers and in doing so extended his overall lead in the Slane Cycles Ulster Classic League. The weather remained fine for the seven laps of the course for the combined A1-A3 event. There was a short handicap between the groups but the rolly course soon evened out any advantage. Athough a group of A3's tried to get away it wasn't long before scratch came through and the winning break of the day got away. The five man break comprised Ryan Connor (Usher IRC), Thomas Martin (Eurocycles), Gary Cranston(East Antrim – Audi), Connor McConvey (An Post – Sean Kelly) and Craig Sweetman (Stamullan). A chase group was soon formed with East Antrim's Jack Wilson, Colm Quinn (Cuchullain), Phoenix duo Cathal Smyth and Niall Shannon and Usher's Colm Cassidy. However despite hard riding the gap to the break remained at over a minute. Sweetman dropped from the break joined the chasers. Coming round the last corner to the finish lne the four breakaway riders began to wind ouo for the sprint. Not well known for his sprinting Connor went early and put in a tremendous effort to hold off Martin and Cranston leaving McConvey to take fourth position. In the sprint for the remaining positions it was Cassidy who took fifth position from Sweetman, Wilson and Quinn. Ryan Connor was presented with the Tommy Givan Cup by Hamilton Topping of Maryland Wheelers. The supporting B race saw about forty A4's line up. The race followed the usual format with riders such as Seamus Walsh ((Phoenix CC), Andrew McGibbon (Bike Pure) and Niall O'Hagan(Ballymoney CC) riding hard at the front and trying to get away. However the bunch did sufficient work to keep them reeled in. In the end the race came down to a mass bunch sprint won by Glen Cobain of Team Madigan ahead of Adrian Peake (Banbridge CC) and Andrew McGibbon (Bike Pure). Bryan McKinney (Bann Wheelers), Stephen Stewart (Team Madigan) and Scott Daly(Banbridge CC) completed the top six. Many thanks to the motorbike and static marshalls, timekeepers, commissaires and lead cars. A special thanks to all those involved in providing the tea and sandwiches at the end. There was some good riding today by some of the younger competitors such as Padraic McCafferty of Four Masters and Ryan Mallon of Dromara CC. It was also good to see Peter Wilson back in action on home territory. Heather Wilson was the only woman to compete today and finshed well up in the bunch sprint in the A race. Well done Heather. Pics by Gavin Magowan, Dromara Cycling Club below RESULTS: Tommy Givan A Race –Hillsborough - 110km 1. Ryan Connor (Usher IRC) 2-25-03 2. Thomas Martin (Eurocycles) 3. Gary Cranston (East Antrim – Audi) 4. Connor McConvey (An Post – Sean Kelly) 5. Colm Cassidy (Usher IRC) @ 1-26 6. Craig Sweetman (Stamullan)@ 1-30 7. Jack Wilson (East Antrim-Audi) 8. Colm Quinn (Cuchullain CC) 9. Connor McAllister (Ballymena – Scott Tiles) 10. Niall Shannon (Phoenix CC) 11. Cathal Smyth (Phoenix CC) 12. Tony Boyle (Castlereagh CC) 13. Robert Moore (Stamullan) 14. Jonny Cole (Team Madigan) 15. Padraig McCafferty (Four Masters) 16. Darren Weir (Dromara CC) 17. Terry Mackin (Banbridge CC) 18. Shaun Gray (Orchard Wheelers) 19. Maurice Ruddock (Phoenix CC) 20. Sean McGreevey (Newry Wheelers) RESULTS: Tommy Givan B Race –Hillsborough - 70km 1. Glen Cobain (Team Madigan) 1-59-44 2. Adrian Peake (Banbridge CC) 3. Andrew McGibbon (Bike Pure) 4. Bryan McKinney (Bann Wheelers) 5. Stephen Stewart (Team Madigan) 6. Scott Daly (Banbridge CC) Pics Marian Lamb Club Development Officer here |
