Maxwell Cup Road Race at Annaclone

 

Wednesday 21 June saw round 1 of the Maxwell Cup. Banbridge CC where taking on the popular Annaclone circuit. The sun was shining and 23 riders signed on for the club event. We were delighted to have visitor Neil Shannon who rides for Brisbane Cycling Club, Australia also CCN Foil Wheels as a State Club.

 

With 3 laps of the 8 mile circuit with the climb up to Mays Corner and short fast downhill to the Diamond makes it a popular circuit with all riders, with the riders split into 4 groups it is not an easy circuit to stay away on.

 

First of was the ladies Ruth McKee, Ruth Aiken and Sara Glover with Peter Bell they were all going well and managed to stay out in front as long as they could. It was great seeing an almost all lady front group to take on the tough Annaclone circuit. All riders were eventually on there way, and it wasn’t too long before the scratch group of John Buller, Dan Purdy, visitor Neil Shannon, Simon Curry, Gareth McKee and Stephen Fitzsimmons for his first ride in the scratch group after his success last Sunday at the Teggart Race coming second in the A4 race caught up with the 3rd group on the second lap with only 4 riders in it they hadn’t much hope of staying away. With the scratch group now 10 riders they were not hanging about. Not sure what was going to happen first, was it the heat going to beat the riders or was the pace of the scratch riders going to do the harm. Start of the last lap and still 1min 50sec to the front of the race, 0h boy this was going to be tough. Up past Ray Mac’s is was all young John Buller drilling it at the front. Bodies everywhere up the climb. Riders trying to keep the scratch group in sight so they could chase hard downhill to the diamond but they got away at Katesbridge and it was only going to be a battle for the lower places. But there was still a rider up the road, James McMahon doing a brill solo effort but just got caught in the last run to the line, just missing out on the win well done James in his first Season club racing.

 

Last night saw some strong performances with Chris Burns holding out on his own for a while after the first group. Charlie Glover and Mark Kendall finishing in 10th and 11 th place. A great effort was made by everyone but on the night the ever consistent John Buller was first over the line taking the sprint. With a close of second place by Simon Curry

Thanks to Alan and his Marshalls also the drivers of the lead cars and the timekeepers.

 

 

Wishing a speedy recovery to BCC rider Martin Fitzpatrick who unfortunately was involved in a crash during the Teggart race last Sunday.

 

Results:

 

1st John Buller

2nd Simon Curry

3rd Neil Shannon ( Visitor)

4thJames MacMahon

5thDan Purdy

6th Nathan Sturrock

7th Ronan Kennedy

8th Gareth McKee

9th Stephen Fitzsimmons

10th Charlie Glover

11th Mark Kendall

12th Neil McAllister

13th Chris Burns

14th Scott Henderson

15th Chris McCann

16th Brian Curran

17th Brian Wilson

18th Peter Bell

19th Sara Glover

20th Ruth McKee

21th Malcolm Jenkins

22nd Nigel McCullough.