Alan Bingham has taken victory in the main event at the Killinchy GP, taking the verdict from Johnny McRoberts of Banbridge CC. Luke Smith of Moynalty CC rounded out the podium.
Bingham, who won the Masters 50 title at the National Cyclocross Championships in Armagh at the start of the year, was among the A2 group that got a handicap on the A1 scratch riders today. He broke away from that group with eventual runner-up McRoberts and Odhran Doogan (Caldwell Cycles).
While the A1 group never caught them, a
trio of its riders went close, with Luke Smith (Moynalty CC), Conor McCann (Inspired Cycling)
and Rory Devlin )Inishowen Wheelers) breaking clear around the
halfway point and setting off in pursuit of the A2s.
While that trio eventually caught the A2 bunch with about 5km to go, Bingham, McRoberts and Doogan had already attacked and were still up the road. Smith then jumped from the A2 bunch with about 3km to go and tried to get across to the three leaders solo.
However,
while he managed to catch Doogan, both Bingham and McRoberts survived out front
to take 1st and 2nd. Smith had to be content with 3rd place while Doogan was 4th.
After his efforts McCann had to be content with 5th while Oisin Rodgers (Cycleology Racing Team) rounded out the top six.
The women’s race was won by Jemma Speers of North Down CC from Erin Creighton (McConvey Cycles) and Clodagh Ní Ghallchóir (UCD Cycling Club). Speers (24) took a solo victory after a very strong ride and behind her the battle for the minor placings came down to a sprint from a chasing group.
Junior rider Creighton (18), a very exciting prospect for Ireland, took the initiative in the sprint, going early and winning it from the front from Ní Ghallchóir, Suzanne White (Sorrento CC), Helen McParland (Phoenix CC) and Darcey Harkness (VC Glendale).
The
A3-Junior race came down to a sprint from a small breakaway with Noel Doyle (TVR)
taking victory from Oisin Ferrity (Island
Wheelers), Connor Fitzgerald (The Bike House CC) and Mark Buchanan (Inishowen Wheelers).
The A4
race was won solo by Paul Keary (Crossgar
Cycling Club). Jim Jo McCullagh (Carn Wheelers) was best of the rest in 2nd place with David Spalding (North down CC) 3rd, Daniel Todd (Dromore
CC) 4th, John Ferrity (Island Wheelers) 5th and Jonathan Compston (Orchard
Shelbourne) in 6th.
Sat, March 12th: Killinchy GP
Killinchy, Co Down
Promoted by Killinchy CC
Balloo Inns Cup A1-A2
- Alan Bingham Newry Wheelers
- Johnny McRoberts Banbridge CC
- Luke Smith Moynalty CC
- Odhran Doogan Caldwell Cycles
- Conor McCann Inspired Cycling
- Oisin Rodgers Cycleology Racing Team
- Jamie Meehan Spellman Dublin Port
- Geoff Alerdice Dromore CC
- Rory Devlin Inishowen Wheelers
- Stevie Irvine Crossgar Cycling Club
Unplaced A2
- Jamie Meehan Spellman Dublin Port
Women’s Race
- Jemma Speers North Down CC
- Erin Creighton McConvey Cycles
- Clodagh Ní Ghallchóir UCD Cycling Club
- Suzanne White Sorrento CC
- Helen McParland Phoenix CC
- Darcey Harkness VC Glendale
- Catherine Mahoney UCD Cycling Club
A3 Race
- Noel Doyle TVR
- Oisin Ferrity Island Wheelers
- Connor Fitzgerald The Bike House CC
- Mark Buchanan Inishowen Wheelers
- James McEneaney Moynalty CC
- Tomas Knapcok Clogher Valley Wheelers
- James Dane VC Iveagh
- Paddy Heaney Carn Wheelers
- Jonathan Coen Dromore CC
- Jackson Hall Bike Cafe Store
A4 Race
- Paul Keary Crossgar Cycling Club
- Jim Jo McCullagh Carn wheelers
- David Spalding North down CC
- Daniel Todd Dromore CC
- John Ferrity Island Wheelers
- Jonathan Compston Orchard Shelbourne
- Ben Healey Ards Cycling Club
- Padraig McKaigue Carn wheelers
- Conor grimes Clann Eireann
- Aaron Fegan Ards Cycling Club