Photos as indicated, the results courtesy of Ards CC, the comm’s James Mc Laughlin, Jonny Beers, Philip Dickenson, and photo finish operator Ian Barfoot
The 2022 Simon Brien Residential Tour of Ards returned back to the Ards Penusila roads today (Sat 2nd April) after a 2 years absence, it was a hard day for my club Ards CC as a new course was designed as we don’t have the PSNI out riders anymore to help, but we are happy enough that the police was present at some dangerous junctions, but we had to rely on our now accredited marshals, with help from other clubs like our neighbours from North Down which we are very grateful for. This was the inaugural event of the Accredited Marshal Scheme in Ireland, since the law has changed in N-Ireland, it is an offense now to ignore these marshals, as they have the power to stop traffic now!! The main race had a loop to do before turning on the circuit for 5 laps and in total about 120km of rolling roads. This was won by Darnell Moore (Caldwell Cycles) with EvoPro’s Daire Feeley second, and Luke Smith (Moynalty CC) third. The A3’s and Juniors did 4 laps of the circuit (80km) Junior Oisin Ferrity (Island Wheelers) “did a Sam Bennett ” by winning the bunch sprint with meters to spare!! Up coming junior Darragh Doherty Vc Glendale Youth Academy was second, with “skipper” Marc Buchanan (Inishowen Donegal) in third. Marc only returned to racing 4 weeks ago after a 6- year break!! The sun was out at the Cardy Gospel Hall (someone must have been singing a gospel or two ? ?)
..Well done Ards CC with Chris White as race director and chapeau to all the marshals. and thank you to St-John Ambulance, the PSNI for static officers, the lead cars, motor outriders, and broom wagon, Ian Barfoot for the photo finish, the Cardy Gospel Hall for the carpark and premises, Simon Brien Residential for the main sponsorship, Bioracer.uk
for the winner jersey in the main race, and Ray Brownfield Repairs & Restoration for the KOH primes..
A*- A1- A2 top 15 result
1st. Darnell Moore Team Caldwell Cycles 2:59:22
2nd. Daire Feeley Evopro 2:59:31
3rd. Luke Smith Moynalty CC 2:59:31 (KOH prime winner)
4th. Gareth O’Neill Team Caldwell Cycles 2:59:33
5th. Craig McAuley Team Caldwell Cycles 2:59:35
6th. Lindsay Watson Powerhouse Sport 2:59:38
7th. Nathan Mullan Dromara CC 2:59:50
8th. Shay Donley Team Dan Morrissey – Pactimo 2:59:50
9th. Odhran Doogan Team Caldwell Cycles 2:59:50 (First Unplaced A2)
10th. Peter Wakely Unattached Ulster 2:59:50
11th. Robert Kennedy East Antrim CC 2:59:50
12th. Vladislav Evseev All human/VelRevolution RT 2:59:50
13th. Fergus Callaghan Four Master CC 2:59:50
14th. Lee Harvey VC Gelndale 2:59:50
15th. Timothy O’Regan All human/VelRevolution RT 2:59:50
A3’s and Juniors (Top 15)
1st. Oisin Ferrity JNR Island Wheelers 2:14:42
2nd. Darragh Doherty JNR VC Glendale 2:14:43
3rd. Mark Buchanan Inishowen 2:14:43 (KOH prime prize)
4th. Conor Fitzgerald The Bike House CC 2:14:43
5th. Matthew Pilgrim Dromara CC 2:14:43
6th. Mark Kendall Banbridge CC 2:14:43
7th. Peter Elliott Velo Club Iveagh 2:14:43
8th. Gareth McBride North Down CC 2:14:43
9th. Gavin Magowan Dromara CC 2:14:43
10th. Matthew Kincaid Newry Wheelers CC 2:14:43
11th. Tomas Knapcok Clogher Valley Wheelers 2:14:43
12th. Francis Donnelly Banbridge CC 2:14:43
13th. Jamie Moss JNR Ballymena RC 2:14:43 (first unplaced Junior)
14th. Joseph Owens Team Caldwell Cycles 2:14:43
15th. Daniel Purdy Banbridge CC 2:14:43
