Season opener at Annaclone.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Banbrdge cycling club had an entry of over one hundred for the first race of the season, the Travers Engineering Annaclone Grand Prix.
There were two races with the A race for A1, A2 and A3 categories being run off on a handicapped basis, with time gaps of two and a half minutes to the middle group of A2 riders and another five minutes back to the A1 scratch group, which contained BRC’s Ryan Connor.
The race was held over five laps of an eight miles course and, although the time gaps closed a bit the overall handicap proved too much and it was a junior rider, Daniel Stewart (East Antrim) who took the honours.
Daniel’s uncle, Brian Stewart of Phoenix came in a close second in what was his comeback race after seven years away from racing.
Stephen Beck of East Antrim took third while Tony Boyle (Slane Cycles), Connor Hanna (North Down) and Gareth Murray (Ards) completed the top six.
Ballymena Road Club’s best finisher was Chris Beattie who was just inside the top twenty at  the finish, Ryan Connor also completed the race, finishing with the remnants of the scratch group. Chris is back with BRC this season and he is happy enough with his form for the time of year and is looking forward to riding in the Easter P&O Tour of the North stage race.
The A4 race came down to a bunch gallop which resulted in another win for East Antrim when Peter Kennedy held off the pack with a very powerful finishing effort.
Results A Race
(1) Daniel Stewart East Antrim (2) Brian Stewart Phoenix (3) Stephen Beck East Antrim
Results B Race
(1) Peter Kennedy East Antrim (2) John Kernaghan West Down (3) Anthony Quinn Dromara (4) Stephen Fletcher East Antrim (5) Ian Walker West Down (6) Gareth Rogers Banbridge