While the open road race season is now in full swing, the change of clocks and longer evening light has paved the way for the start of the mid‑week club race season, which is now just kicking off.
Several Banbridge CC riders have already enjoyed success in the open races. John Buller has wasted no time this season, collecting his first victory at the Bohermeen CC‑promoted Waller Cup, putting his trademark finishing kick to excellent use.
Gavin Clarke has clearly been hard at work over the off season and is enjoying the fruits of his labour. Over the May Day Bank Holiday weekend, Gavin delivered a standout performance at the Carn Wheelers 2‑Day Stage Race. Day 1 featured a demanding split stage, with a road race in the morning followed by a time trial in the early evening. A strong ride in the TT earned Gavin an excellent 3rd place on the stage, and with consistent performances across the road race stages on both days, he emerged from the weekend with a superb 2nd place overall on General Classification.
Gavin’s progress was further rewarded at the opening individual club race of the season, the 10‑mile Wills Cup Time Trial. Slashing almost five minutes from his target time, he secured a convincing win on handicap and became the first leader of the 2026 Club League Table. His strong form continued most recently at Wednesday evening’s Armagh Crit, where he spent much of the race in a two‑man breakaway that held off the bunch to the finish, resulting in another strong 2nd place for the Banbridge CC rider.
Gavin now looks ahead to Saturday’s Groucho GP—a circuit right on his doorstep. With a parcours well suited to his abilities and current form, he has every reason to set ambitious targets for the event.
MAC 2‑Up Time Trial Series
The club racing calendar kicked off with the ever‑popular MAC 2‑Up Time Trial Series, testing pairs of riders working together over three events. Several familiar pairings showed strong form throughout, including Trevor Wright & Trevor Martin and Mark Kendall & Stephen Fitzsimmons, who ultimately had to settle for a tied runner‑up position.
The overall honours, however, went to a new Banbridge CC pairing for 2026—Hollie Elliott and Russell White.
Russell White, an Olympic triathlete from the Tokyo Games, is now based back home and clearly enjoyed the lower‑key competition on local roads alongside his partner and newly signed Banbridge CC member, Hollie Elliott. Hollie herself is an accomplished international triathlete, having competed at multiple World Cups, European Championships and World Championships, and she was also crowned Irish National Champion in August last year.
Both athletes can now add the highly contested (in certain circles!) MAC 2‑Up Trophy to their already impressive palmarès.
Hollie Elliott leads 2-Up partner Russell White on their way to MAC 2-Up victory. Photo courtesy of Toni Hannigan.
Heathwood Cup & Fusco Cup
Wednesday evening also saw the Heathwood Cup and Fusco Cup decided on the Rathfriland Road / Castlewellan Road 15‑mile Time Trial circuit. The Banbridge CC club league once again attracted international talent, with Decathlon Development Team rider Conor Murphy competing as a guest.
Murphy—a double National Junior Champion in both road race and time trial disciplines, as well as 2nd place at the 2025 European Championships—proved quickest on the night, recording an impressive 32:20 over the rolling course.
Second fastest on the night was Banbridge CC’s Adam Matthews. The second‑year junior has clearly made significant strides for 2026, evidenced by his recent result as the first junior and winner of the Sean McGreevy Memorial Trophy at the Alan Towell Memorial race. Adam and was not only the fastest Banbridge CC rider on Wednesday night, but also the fastest on handicap. He therefore claimed a double victory, taking both the Heathwood Cup and Fusco Cup.
Next week, Wednesday 13th, sees the opening round of the Banbridge Inter‑Club Race League, with a road race on the ever‑popular Annaclone GP circuit. The event will also host Round 1 of the Maxwell Cup for Banbridge CC riders. Entry is open until 8pm on Monday evening and can be accessed here.
Adam Matthews will be looking to convert his early season victories into further success as he focuses on his season goals in the months ahead. Photo courtesy of Toni Hannigan.
Cover photo of Gavin Clarke courtesy of Toby Watson.
