How many times are we allowed to use the term ‘Super Saturday’ without sounding repetitive?!
If we are sounding repetitive, it’s reflective of the Banbridge CC results so far achieved at this early stage in the 2025 road season. Today seen another remarkable performance from the team, and it delivered the results too.
A full Banbridge CC team car, along with a few overflow cars, travelled to Randlestown in Co Antrim for the Ballymena Road Club promoted Wallace Caldwell Memorial, one of the longest established road races in Ulster and one of the few remaining NICF ‘classics’ on the calendar. The event promoted 2 races; a combined C1/C2 handicap race and a separate C3 only race. Representing Banbridge CC in the C1/C2 race were Adam Matthews, Riley Smith, William McBride, James Curry, Mark Downey, Johnny McRoberts, Paul Smith, Nathan Mullan, John Buller and Matthew Teggart. Quite the force! In the C3 race we had Trevor Wright and John Ervine.
John Ervine is enjoying a continued run of consistent results and today was again high up the scoring points list in 6th place in the C3 race which was held over 80km.
In the C1/C2 handicapped race Adam Matthews, Riley Smith and William McBride all started in the C2 bunch, with the remainder of the Banbridge CC team starting in the C1 group. With a sporting handicap applied the C2’s fancied putting the pressure on the C1’s and worked well as a group to make the most of the their advantage. The C1’s were slightly less effective in their collaboration, but such was the firepower within the group which contained several international riders, that a catch seemed inevitable. It certainly didn’t feel inevitable as the race entered the final lap however, by which stage 2 riders had jumped clear of the C2 group and opened up a significant gap. The riders, both first year juniors, were James Armstrong of the Belgian Molenspurters Meulebeke team and Adam Matthews.
A frantic last lap chase ensued with a strong group of C1’s bridging the gap to the main C2 bunch in the final 5km, but the 2 escapes were still at large. Adam Matthews managed to distance a tiring James Armstrong who was absorbed by those in pursuit, leaving Matthews solo with a slim 30 second advantage in the final 2km. With just over 1km to go strongmen Gareth O’Neill, Athlete Nutrition Coach HD, and road, cyclocross and mountain bike international Chris Dawson (Dawson Racing) made a last ditch attempt to reel in the junior, but as he dropped down the final descent he maintained his advantage to tackle the final climb to the finish and enjoy a memorable victory. O’Neill and Dawson followed next in that order.
A flurry of yellow jerseys weren’t too far behind, giving Banbridge 4 riders placed in the top 8. Matthew Teggart was 5th , John Buller 7th and fellow first year junior Riley Smith was 8th, picking up the 1st unplaced C2 rider prize in the process.
Tomorrow the riders with travel to Dungannon for the Island Wheelers promoted PJ Logan Cup.
All photos courtesy of Sharon McFarland and Toby Watson.
