Spires Inter-club race 14 May

Monday, May 19, 2014
The Inter-club series commenced on 14th May with Spires CC hosting the first race. This year sees Roe Valley replace Bann Valley in the list of participating clubs with the others being Ballymena Road Club, Ballymoney CC, Bann Wheelers and Carn Wheelers.
Wednesday’s race was held on Spires new course which took in the Aughrim Road, Ballynagarve Road and Shore/Ballyronan Road triangle.
It was held over three laps of the 7.8 miles circuit and the entrants went off in four groups with zero three five and six minutes handicaps.
The limit bunch made the most of their, what proved to be generous, starting handicap and they stayed away to the finish where the placings were decided in the uphill sprint on the road alongside Aughrim Chapel.
Carn Wheelers riders took the first two positions with Stephen Halferty finishing just ahead of Nicky Gormley. Stephen Smyth (Ballymena Road Club) took an excellent third place just ahead of Chris Currie (Spires) Jason Burns also finished with this leading group, although just outside the top ten.
Jason’s wife Eileen, however, did do the business as she won the ladies race. The women’s race saw five ladies compete in group one along with the men. Eileen Burns from Ballymena Road Club was right in the thick of it at the finish and took the win in front of Mairead McGurk (Carn Wheelers) (3) Jane Millar (Bann Wheelers) (4) Claire Gillespie (5) Laura Blair both Ballymena Road Club. The next round on the 4th June is hosted by Ballymoney.

More details can be found at http://www.interclubcycling.com