Northern Ireland Open Road Championships 7/08/04

The Northern Ireland Open Road championships, promoted by Madigan GP saw Ballymena's, Ryan Connor, take charge of the race at an early stage. With defending Champion Tommy Evans, absent from the competition, Connor was one of the pre-event favourites along with Matthew Ward (Phoenix) Jonathan Dempsey (Classic Walls) Roger Aiken (Banbridge) and Don Travers (Banbridge.
The race covered three laps of an 18 and a half mile circuit with climbs at Lizzard and the Seven Sisters.
With Dempsey going from the gun to taking the first hill prime on the Seven Sisters, Ryan was determined not to let him get away. He gradually built up a lead and at the start of the third lap he had built up a convincing lead. He continued to build on this lead until at the finish he rode home clear, a good five minutes ahead of Roger Aiken (Banbridge) and Matthew Ward (Phoenix).
The Ladies Championship saw Anne McFarland (Omagh Wheelers)solo home, demonstrating her continued improved performance throughout the year.
It was a family affair in the Youth categories, with brothers Simon and Peter Williams (Orchard Wheelers) the respective winners.
In the Under 16's Williams and Alastair Clarke (BRC) escaped on the final climb to increase their lead to a minute but going into the sprint it was Williams who had the edge. Mike Mitchell (TNDCC) led the chasers home to lift the Bronze medal.
The Under 14 event ended in a four-up sprint, with Peter Williams getting the verdict from Ricky Baird (BRC) and Johnny Beers (XMTB) 3rd.

Result -
NI Open Senior Championship
1Ryan Connor Ballymena Road Club - Scott Rooftiles
2 Roger Aitken Banbridge CC
3 Matthew Ward Phoenix CC

Ladies
1 Anne McFarland Omagh Whs

Under 16s
1 Simon Williams Orchard Wh
2 Alastair Clarke BRC-Scotts
3 Mike Mitchell Toyota North Down CC

Under 14
1 Peter Williams Orchard Whs
2 Ricky Baird BRC-Scotts
3 Jonathan Beers XMTBCC