MAC 2-Up TT Series, Round 3 and Overall Results

After 3 competitive rounds of the 2024 MAC 2-Up TT series we had 9 eligible teams who have completed all 3 rounds. The opening competition of the ’24 Banbridge CC club racing season attracted fantastic numbers for all rounds, with over 60 riders signed up to the series. Often used as the first competitive run out for many club racing cyclists, it gives an opportunity to test the legs and lungs ahead of the busy season that awaits!

From the opening round we seen some very fast performances from some well known names and a few stand out times from up and coming riders which always makes for exciting racing and bodes well for the season. Round 1 seen a couple of familiar names among the fastest times. The fastest team was headed by ex-professional Matthew Teggart who had paired with upcoming youth rider Adam Matthews, who no doubt will have gained great experience working in tandem with such a seasoned rider. Following close behind was Olympian Mark Downey who had Stevie Fitsimmons as a team mate. We dread to think what Stevie taught Mark! Rounding out the top 3 was father and son duo Paul and Riley Smith, both of who have made significant improvements in performance for 2024 based on their showings to date.

Round 2 seen a changed team topping the times; Mark Downey had a new partner in Aaron Parks. Although they were fastest on the evening the change of partners would see them suffer in the overall series with complete teams having to compete in all 3 rounds in order to score the necessary points. Adam Matthews and Matthew Teggart were 2nd fastest on the Castlewellan road circuit, with the Team Smith rounding out the top 3 once again. One of the most improved teams of the night was Anna and Carla McArdle, both relative newcomers to the club but showing that they could well be a force to be reckoned with. The number of teams retaining their partnerships was substantial and so it became clear competition for the overall series title could be hotly contested, even if it was a cold and damp night.

The riders faced a longer and more ‘lumpy’ route for round 3, covering a 15.5mile circuit starting and finishing in Banbridge and taking in Annaclone and Katesbridge en-route. Mark Downey once again topped the table with the fastest time but with yet another new 2-Up partner. The Olympian is perhaps enjoying the freedom and more casual approach to club racing in comparison to his professional days and treating the 2-up series like some form of speed dating opportunity. Will he swipe right to decide who he rides out with next week?! Downey’s round 3 partner was the on form Johnny McRoberts, and together they held off fellow fast-men Aaron Parks and Erwin McKee. Once again Team Smith secured a top 3 time, showing great consistency and edging out Teggart and Matthews for the first time to demonstrate their progression over the 3 weeks.

With all 3 rounds completed and points totalled it was the father and son duo of Paul and Riley smith who emerged winners of the Mac 2-Up series and claim the first trophy of the 2024 BCC league season. It was great to see another youth rider among the runner up team of Adam Matthews and Matthew Teggart who narrowly beat JP Rice and David Ross who claimed the final podium position.

Massive thanks as always to all those volunteers who assisted with the events and also the local Banbridge PSNI neighbourhood policing team for their presence. Congratulations to all the riders who competed and thanks to all the visiting riders for helping to support the events. Next week will see a break in the club racing action as a large contingent of Banbridge members enjoy the hopefully sunnier climate of Majorca before returning to the first of the individual TT events with the Wills Cup 10m TT on the Castlewellan Rd on Wed 2nd May. You can view all the Banbridge CC events on our Google calendar here.