Richard Nicholl has claimed victory in the John Maxwell Cup on the new 10 mile TT course in Rathfriland. Promoted as part of the Banbridge Inter Club Race League (BICRL) and hosted by VC Iveagh, the event seen a mix of competitors on both TT and road bikes. The rolling and sporting nature of the course perhaps slightly closed the advantage of the straight line speed of the TT bikes and the more agile road bikes.
With handicapping formulas applied Richard Nicholl, piloting a standard road bike, came out on top and ahead of Ruth McKee and Nigel McCullough. Richard has had a very consistent year, participating in a number of open TT events, still using use road bike, and it’s great to see that hard work paying off with some silverware as just reward.
There are now only 2 events remaining in the Banbridge CC club league; the Hill Climb on 31st August, and the Jack Carson/Lutton Cup which is promoted in conjunction with the Thomas White Memorial at Warrenpoint on 25th September.
In the Club league standings Aaron Parks now holds a 60 point advantage over his closest rival, Brian Hannon. With 30 points for each event win it gives Aaron enough of a buffer to celebrate overall victory in the league. 2022 has seen Aaron secure 3 wins, 4 podiums and a lowest counting score of 24 points; a remarkably consistent year and a worthy winner of the 2022 League.
Ruth McKee’s 2nd place in the John Maxwell Cup moves her closer to and within 13 points of Women’s BAR leader Julie Lilley. A DNS or DNF in the final 2 events of the league would almost certainly eliminate any hopes of overall victory for either competitor!
Next week’s BICRL event is the popular 4 person road bike only team time trial at Warrenpoint, promoted again by VC Iveagh. As this is a team event it will not count towards the Banbridge CC league, but will of course be a key round in the BICRL and will no doubt give plenty of bragging rights to boot! You can enter the event here.
Photos below courtesy of Toni Hannigan and Suzanne Barlow.
