| |
Bann Valley Classic 18th May 2003
East Antrim-Audi CC's Jim McConnell made no mistakes today at Clady when he soloed home to win the Bann Valley Classic. McConnell was part of a 5 man break which went away early in the race building up a lead of almost 2 minutes on the chasers. The group included Robert Currie (Roe Valley), Tommy Wilson (Ballymena), Andy Layhe (Apollo) and Shaun Gray (Harps CC).
This group was reduced to just McConnell, Wilson and Currie by the 6th lap but the gap still hovered around 1-30. Currie was most unlucky to puncture out of this group with just 10 miles remaining losing out on an almost certain top 3 placing.
In the closing miles McConnell attacked to come home 14 seconds ahead of Tommy Wilson.
Back in the bunch 6 riders broke clear to fight out the minor placings and, althought they lost Paul Brady (Emyvale), Shaun Turner (Bann Valley), Gerard Heverin (Castlereagh), Ross Blayney (Ards), Shaun Gray (Harps CC) and Ernie Magwood (East Tyrone) held off the main field to finish 2.05 behind McConnell. Aaron Deane and Adrian McDermott (Total Cycling-Lindsay Ford) finished at 3-10 with Paul Brady completing the top ten and winning the Junior award.
1st Jim McConnell (East Antrim-Audi CC) 105k 2-52-18
2nd Tommy Wilson (Ballymena-Scotts) @14 secs
3rd Shaun Turner (Bann Valley) @2-05
4th Gerard Heverin (Castlereagh) ST
5th Ross Blayney (Ards) ST
6th Shaun Gray (Harps CC) ST
7th Ernie Magwood (Bann Valley) ST
8th Aaron Deane (Total Cycling-Lindsay Ford) @3-10
9th Adrian Mc Dermott (Total Cycling-Lindsay Ford) ST
10th Paul Brady (Emyvale) ST
Ladies:
1st Debbie Booth (East Antrim-Audi)
2nd Mary McKee (Phoenix)
3rd Christine Clarke (Bann Valley)
1st Junior: Paul Brady (Emyvale)
1st 3rd Cat Aaron Deane (Total Cycling-Lindsay Ford)
REPORT: Tommy Lamb
PICS: Marian Lamb Return |
|
