Today BRC hosted the final round of the National Road Series, the Red Hand Trophy Road Race. With the scene set for 68 miles of racing through the Glens of Antrim, the riders set off from the gun at a blistering pace. The pace this year was particularly aggressive, which made for a very exciting race, with almost half the field losing contact in the first 20 miles. Attack after attack continued up the Vanishing Lakes climb, with the remaining field split into 4 groups, with only 90 seconds between them. In the final miles Hennebry and Ward broke away, establishing a small gap of around 15 seconds, and held off the chasing group to the line. Hennebry took the ensuing sprint from Ward, with BRC's Richard Maybin taking the sprint for 3rd.
In the Ladies Race, an early break by Katharine Smyth (BRC), Aine Donegan (Scott Orwell) and Eileen Burns (BRC) stayed away for the day. Burns lost contact with the other two on the climb up Glencloy, whilst the other two fought out the sprint, with Smyth taking the win.
Results:
Men:
1 Conor Hennebry Viner Caremark Pactimo
2 Adam Ward Powerhouse Sport
3 Richard Maybin Ballymena Road Club
4 Dermot Trulock Lucan RC
5 Darragh McCarter Donegal Bay CC
6 Agnus Fyffe TeamCaldwell
7 Gareth Oneill Newry Wheelers
8 Conor McCann Inspired Cycling
9 James Davenport Strata3-Velo Revolution
10 Aaron Docherty Nicholas Roche PT
11 Darnell Moore Team Caldwell Cycles
12 Ronan McLaughlin Viner Caremark Pactimo
13 Gary Donaldson Team Caldwell
14 RichardMeaney Westport Covey Wheelers
15 Sean Moore Team Gerard-DHL
16 Cian Sutcliffe Team Gerard-DHL
17 James Curry VC La Pomme
18 Jody Wright Phoenix CC
19 Patrick Doogan Caldwell Cycles Omagh
20 Conor Gallagher Nicholas Roche PT
Ladies:
1. Katharine Smyth BRC
2. Aine Donegan Scott Orwell
3. Eileen Burns BRC
A huge thank you to Blair International Transport for their generous sponsorship of today's event. Thanks also to all marshals, car drivers, PSNI, Commissaires, and those who both provided and served the food after the event.