Silver for Young at Ulster Championships

Thursday, September 5, 2013
 
 
Ballymoney CC promoted the 2013 Ulster Road Race Championships on the "Dark Hedges” circuit at Stranocum on Sunday
The circuit has been described as one of the best in Ireland, winding through the lush green Co Antrim countryside, racing at neck break speed through "The Park" with its narrow Flemish style lanes, passing through the most photographed natural phenomena in Northern Ireland, the "Dark Hedges" and through the sleepy village of Stranocum, where the finish line is located.
Ballymena Road Club – Chain Reaction Cycles – riders were well represented with Connor Young the most successful present. Connor repeated his achievement of last season, on the same circuit, by taking second place and the silver medal in the junior category.
Claire Gillespie finished in an excellent fifth place in the women’s championship; this was a fitting result for Claire at the end of her first racing season. Amy Brice won the ladies championship.
The veterans’ title race was won by Brian Stewart (Phoenix) in 2 hours 39 minutes 28 seconds. Ballymena’s best finisher was Chris Beattie in eleventh place just two seconds behind Stewart. Clifford Grant, Michael Carroll and Ryan Currie all came in with this group at 2 seconds; they finished 21st 22nd and 23rd respectively.
Michael Carroll came in for special mention for his efforts in the veterans’ race, having been away for over a lap along with Kevin Lynch (Newry)
Afterwards Michael explained. "The veterans race ended in a bunch sprint won by Brian Stewart of Phoenix, we were all there, with Chris best in eleventh place and the rest of us about 20th or so, we all had a go at different times in a break.”
"I was away with a Newry rider for more than one lap but we got caught with just over a lap to go; it was a tough race with the wind and type of course making it hard.”
"I thought we might have stayed away but we would have needed 4 or 5 in the break to make it work. BRC all rode very well today and tried hard. It's back to the drawing board again for me; hopefully I can try to improve the sprinting for next year. Thanks for all your excellent reports during the year, hope to improve my riding for next year.” Added Michael
 
Ulster Road Race Championships - Senior/Junior Men 80 miles
(1) Frazer Duncan (Eurocycles) 03:14:36 (Senior Gold)  (2) David Montgomery (XMTB) same time (Junior Gold) (3) Gary Cranston (East Antrim) 03:15:04 (Senior Silver) (4) Mike Millar (Phoenix) st (Senior Bronze) (5) Alastair MacAuley (Phoenix) st (6) Gary Jeffers (East Tyrone) 03:17:03 (16) Connor Young (Ballymena Chain Reaction Cycles) 03:18:42 (Junior Silver)